EP2869009B1 - Refrigerator and method of controlling the same - Google Patents
Refrigerator and method of controlling the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2869009B1 EP2869009B1 EP14191503.3A EP14191503A EP2869009B1 EP 2869009 B1 EP2869009 B1 EP 2869009B1 EP 14191503 A EP14191503 A EP 14191503A EP 2869009 B1 EP2869009 B1 EP 2869009B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- refrigerant
- evaporator
- refrigerator
- compressor
- temperature
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 38
- 239000003507 refrigerant Substances 0.000 claims description 421
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 84
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 claims description 75
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 230000004913 activation Effects 0.000 claims description 14
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 description 17
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 17
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 8
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 7
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000008014 freezing Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000002474 experimental method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B49/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25B49/02—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for compression type machines, plants or systems
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
- F25B1/005—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle of the single unit type
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B5/00—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity
- F25B5/02—Compression machines, plants or systems, with several evaporator circuits, e.g. for varying refrigerating capacity arranged in parallel
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D11/00—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators
- F25D11/02—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures
- F25D11/022—Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators with cooling compartments at different temperatures with two or more evaporators
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D29/00—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
- F25D29/003—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices for movable devices
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B1/00—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle
- F25B1/10—Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle with multi-stage compression
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
- F25B2600/01—Timing
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
- F25B2600/02—Compressor control
- F25B2600/025—Compressor control by controlling speed
- F25B2600/0251—Compressor control by controlling speed with on-off operation
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
- F25B2600/00—Control issues
- F25B2600/25—Control of valves
- F25B2600/2507—Flow-diverting valves
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2700/00—Means for sensing or measuring; Sensors therefor
- F25D2700/12—Sensors measuring the inside temperature
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B40/00—Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a method of controlling the refrigerator.
- Refrigerators include a plurality of storages for storing food at a frozen state or a refrigerated state.
- the storages have an open side for allowing access to the food stored in the storages.
- the storages include a freezer compartment for storing food in the frozen state, and a refrigerator compartment for storing food in the refrigerated state.
- a refrigerating system through which refrigerant circulates is driven in such a refrigerator.
- the refrigerating system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator.
- the evaporator may include a first evaporator disposed at a side of a refrigerator compartment, and a second evaporator disposed at a side of a freezer compartment.
- Cold air stored in the refrigerator compartment may be cooled through the first evaporator and be then supplied again to the refrigerator compartment.
- Cold air stored in the freezer compartment may be cooled through the second evaporator and be then supplied again to the freezer compartment.
- the refrigerant may be selectively supplied to the first or second evaporator and be evaporated.
- typical refrigerators are configured such that a plurality of storages are independently cooled through separate evaporators, and refrigerant is supplied to any one of the evaporators to cool one of the storages and stop cooling of the other storages.
- simultaneous cooling of the storages is delimited, and one of the storages and the others are selectively or alternately cooled.
- the storage that is cooled is maintained at an appropriate range of temperatures, but temperatures of the storages that are not cooled increase to be out of a normal range.
- temperatures of the storages that are not cooled increase to be out of a normal range.
- US 2008/0190125 describes a refrigerator having a two-stage compressor, a condenser and a first and second evaporator.
- a three way valve connects the condenser to the first and second evaporator.
- a controller controls a freezing cycle device on the basis of the detection condition of a temperature sensor for a freezing chamber and a temperature sensor for a refrigerating chamber.
- the controller controls an opening of the valve so as to make a superheat amount which is a difference between an exit temperature and an entrance temperature of a refrigerating evaporator equal to a target superheat amount, and thereby adjusts a refrigerant flow rate to refrigerating evaporator in a limited state.
- US 2002/0134095 describes a refrigerator including a first passage including a cold storage zone capillary tube and a cold storage zone evaporator, the latter two being connected in series to each other, a second passage including a freezing zone capillary tube and a freezing zone evaporator, the latter two being connected in series to each other, a switching valve causing the refrigerant condensed by the condenser to flow selectively through any one of the first passage, the second passage and both the first and second passages.
- a control device switches the switching valve upon power supply to the refrigerator so that the refrigerant flows simultaneously through both the first and second passages, starting the compressor.
- Embodiments provide a refrigerator and a method of controlling the refrigerator, which efficiently cool a plurality of storages.
- a method of controlling a refrigerator includes: driving a refrigerating cycle including a first evaporator and a second evaporator by activating a compressor; simultaneously supplying cold air to a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment by supplying refrigerant to the first and second evaporators according to the driving of the refrigerating cycle; preventing the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator by decreasing, for a first set time, a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator; and preventing the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator by increasing, for a second set time, a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator.
- the preventing of the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator, and the preventing of the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator may be repeated until a temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches a target temperature.
- the refrigerant When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature, the refrigerant may be prevented from being supplied to at least one of the first and second evaporators, or an operation of the compressor may be stopped.
- the first set time and the second set time is mapped onto values that are different according to both an outer temperature condition of the refrigerator and state information of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.
- the state information of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment may include at least one of information about a cooling activation state in which the activation of the compressor starts; information about a load reaction state in which a temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment increases to be equal to or higher than a set temperature; and information about a state in which the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are simultaneously cooled.
- the first or second set time may be changed according to a change of the outer temperature condition of the refrigerator or the state information of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, and the flow rate of the refrigerant may be adjusted according to the changed first or second set time.
- the method may further include determining whether one of the first and second set times is changed, based on information about a difference between an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the first evaporator or a difference between an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the second evaporator.
- the determining of whether one of the first and second set times is changed may include recognizing whether the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator, and whether the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator may be determined according to whether at least one of the information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator, and the information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator is included within a set range.
- Whether the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator may be determined based on one of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator, a difference value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator, and a ratio value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator.
- the determining of whether one of the first and second set times is changed may include fixing the first set time and increasing or decreasing the second set time when the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator.
- a cooling load of a storage on which the first evaporator is disposed may be greater than a cooling load of a storage on which the second evaporator is disposed.
- the method may further include changing the flow rates of the refrigerant supplied to the first and second evaporators, according to a change of the first or second set time, when whether one of the first and second set times is changed is determined.
- a refrigerator includes: a compressor that compresses refrigerant to drive a refrigerating cycle for supplying cold air to a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment; a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed at the compressor; a refrigerant pipe arrangement that guides a flow of the refrigerant condensed at the condenser; a plurality of refrigerant passages that diverge from the refrigerant pipe arrangement and are provided with expansion devices; first and second evaporators for evaporating the refrigerant passed through the refrigerant passages; a storage temperature sensor that senses an inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment; an outer temperature sensor that senses an outer temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment; a flow adjusting part that adjusts amounts of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passages; a memory part in which information about control times of the flow adjusting part is mapped onto information sensed at the storage temperature sensor and the outer temperature sensor and is stored; and
- the information about the control times of the flow adjusting part may include: information about a first set time of decreasing an amount of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator to prevent the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator; and information about a second set time of increasing an amount of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator to prevent the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator.
- the control part may maintain a first adjustment state of the flow adjusting part for the first set time, and then, maintain a second adjustment state of the flow adjusting part for the second set time, and repeatedly control the first and second adjustment states of the flow adjusting part until a temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches a target temperature.
- the refrigerator may further include a temperature sensor that senses inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator or inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator, wherein the control part determines whether to change a first or second set time, based on information sensed at the temperature sensor.
- control part may increase the second set time when recognizing that the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator, and decrease the second set time when recognizing that the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator.
- the refrigerant passages include: a first refrigerant passage provided with a first expansion device and connected to the first evaporator; a second refrigerant passage provided with a second expansion device and connected to the second evaporator; and a third refrigerant passage provided with a third expansion device and connected to the first evaporator.
- the refrigerant passages may include: a first refrigerant passage provided with a first expansion device and connected to the first evaporator; a second refrigerant passage provided with a second expansion device and connected to the second evaporator; a third refrigerant passage provided with a third expansion device and connected to the first evaporator; and a fourth refrigerant passage provided with a fourth expansion device and connected to the second evaporator.
- the refrigerant passages may include: a first refrigerant passage provided with a first expansion device and connected to the first evaporator; and a second refrigerant passage provided with a second expansion device and connected to the second evaporator, and the refrigerator may include: a first flow rate adjusting part provided on the first refrigerant passage to adjust a refrigerant amount; and a second flow rate adjusting part provided on the second refrigerant passage to adjust a refrigerant amount.
- Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- a refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of devices for driving a refrigerating cycle.
- the refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of compressors 111 and 115 for compressing refrigerant, a condenser 120 for condensing the refrigerant compressed at the compressors 111 and 115, a plurality of expansion devices 141, 143, and 145 for depressurizing the refrigerant condensed at the condenser 120, and a plurality of evaporators 150 and 160 for evaporating the refrigerant depressurized at the expansion devices 141, 143, and 145.
- the refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 that connects the compressors 111 and 115, the condenser 120, the expansion devices 141, 143, and 145, and the evaporators 150 and 160 to one another to guide flows of the refrigerant.
- the compressors 111 and 115 include a second compressor 115 disposed at a low pressure side, and a first compressor 111 for further compressing refrigerant compressed at the second compressor 115.
- the first compressor 111 is connected in series to the second compressor 115. That is, a portion of the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 disposed at an outlet side of the second compressor 115 is connected to an inlet side of the first compressor 111.
- the evaporators 150 and 160 include a first evaporator 150 for generating cold air to be supplied to any one of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, and a second evaporator 160 for generating cold air to be supplied to the other.
- the first evaporator 150 may generate cold air to be supplied to the refrigerator compartment and be disposed at a side of the refrigerator compartment.
- the second evaporator 160 may generate cold air to be supplied to the freezer compartment and be disposed at a side of the freezer compartment.
- a temperature of the cold air supplied to the freezer compartment may be lower than that of the cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment.
- a refrigerant evaporation pressure of the second evaporator 160 may be lower than that of the first evaporator 150.
- a portion of the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 disposed at an outlet side of the second evaporator 160 extends to an inlet side of the second compressor 115.
- the refrigerant passed through the second evaporator 160 may be introduced into the second compressor 115.
- a portion of the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 disposed at an outlet side of the first evaporator 150 is connected to the portion of the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 disposed at the outlet side of the second compressor 115.
- the refrigerant passed through the first evaporator 150 may join the refrigerant compressed at the second compressor 115 and be introduced into the first compressor 111.
- the expansion devices 141, 143, and 145 include first and third expansion devices 141 and 145 for expanding the refrigerant to be introduced into the first evaporator 150, and a second expansion device 143 for expanding the refrigerant to be introduced into the second evaporator 160.
- the first to third expansion devices 141, 143, and 145 may include capillary tubes.
- the second evaporator 160 may be used as an evaporator for the freezer compartment, and the first evaporator 150 may be used as an evaporator for the refrigerator compartment.
- a diameter of the capillary tube of the second expansion device 143 may be smaller than diameters of the capillary tubes of the first and third expansion devices 141 and 145 such that the refrigerant evaporation pressure of the second evaporator 160 is lower than that of the first evaporator 150.
- Refrigerant passages 101 and 105 are disposed at an inlet side of the first evaporator 150 to guide the refrigerant to be introduced into the first evaporator 150.
- the refrigerant passages 101 and 105 include a first refrigerant passage 101 on which the first expansion device 141 is installed, and a third refrigerant passage 105 on which the third expansion device 145 is installed.
- the first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105 guide the refrigerant to be introduced into the first evaporator 150 and may be thus referred to as "first evaporation passages".
- the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage 101 and the refrigerant flowing through the third refrigerant passage105 may join each other and be then introduced into the first evaporator 150.
- a refrigerant passage 103 is disposed at an inlet side of the second evaporator 160 to guide the refrigerant to be introduced into the second evaporator 160.
- the refrigerant passage 103 includes a second refrigerant passage 103 on which the second expansion device 143 is installed.
- the second refrigerant passage 103 guides the refrigerant to be introduced into the second evaporator 160 and may be thus referred to as "a second evaporation passage".
- the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105 may be understood as “branch passages" diverging from the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100.
- the refrigerator 10 includes a flow adjusting part 130 that divides the refrigerant to be introduced into the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105.
- the flow adjusting part 130 may be understood as a device for adjusting flows of the refrigerant such that at least one of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 is operated, that is, such that the refrigerant is introduced into any one of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 or both the first and second evaporators 150 and 160.
- the flow adjusting part 130 includes a four-way valve, which includes an inflow part through which the refrigerant is introduced, and three outflow parts through which the refrigerant is discharged.
- the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105 are connected to the three outflow parts of the flow adjusting part 130, respectively.
- the refrigerant passing through the flow adjusting part 130 is divided and discharged to the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105.
- the outflow parts connected to the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105 are referred to as "a first outflow part", "a second outflow part", and "a third outflow part", respectively.
- At least one of the first to third outflow parts may be opened.
- the refrigerant flows through the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105.
- the first and second outflow parts are opened, and the third outflow part is closed, the refrigerant flows through the first and second refrigerant passages 101 and 103.
- the first outflow part may be opened, and the second and third outflow parts may be closed, so that the refrigerant can flow through only the first refrigerant passage 101.
- the second outflow part may be opened, and the first and third outflow parts may be closed, so that the refrigerant can flow through only the second refrigerant passage 103.
- a flow path of the refrigerant is changed.
- the flow adjusting part 130 may be controlled based on whether the refrigerant is insufficient or excessive in the first evaporator 150 or the second evaporator 160.
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled such that the refrigerant flows through the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105.
- the third refrigerant passage 105 are closed, and the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled such that the refrigerant flows through the first and second refrigerant passages 101 and 103.
- a plurality of flow paths for the refrigerant to be introduced into the first evaporator 150 are provided as the first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105, and flows of the refrigerant through the first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105 are selectively controlled, thereby adjusting an amount of the refrigerant to be introduced into the first evaporator 150 or the second evaporator 160.
- the inlet side of the first evaporator 150 is superior to the inlet side of the second evaporator 160 in terms of number of refrigerant paths, when the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105 are opened, a larger amount of the refrigerant flows to the first evaporator 150 than to the second evaporator 160.
- a heat exchange ability of the first evaporator 150 is greater than that of the second evaporator 160.
- a cooling load or capacity of the refrigerator compartment may be greater than that of the freezer compartment.
- the refrigerator 10 includes blower fans 125, 155, and 165 disposed at a side of a heat exchanger to blow air.
- the blower fans 125, 155, and 165 include a condensing fan 125 disposed at a side of the condenser 120, a first evaporation fan 155 disposed at a side of the first evaporator 150, and a second evaporation fan 165 disposed at a side of the second evaporator 160.
- the heat exchange abilities of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 may be changed according to rotation speeds of the first and second evaporation fans 155 and 165. For example, when a large amount of cold air generated according to an operation of the first evaporator 150 is needed, the rotation speed of the first evaporation fan 155 may increase. In addition, when the cold air generated according to the operation of the first evaporator 150 is sufficient, the rotation speed of the first evaporation fan 155 may decrease.
- Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 .
- Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the refrigerator according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 .
- the refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of temperature sensors 210, 220, and 230 for sensing an inner temperature of a storage of the refrigerator 10 or an outer temperature of the refrigerator 10, that is, a temperature of an indoor space in which the refrigerator 10 is installed.
- the temperature sensors 210, 220, and 230 include a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 210 for sensing an inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment, a freezer compartment temperature sensor 220 for sensing an inner temperature of the freezer compartment, and an outer temperature sensor 230 for sensing the outer temperature of the refrigerator 10.
- the sensors 210 and 220 are referred to as "storage temperature sensors”.
- the refrigerator 10 includes a control part 200 that controls an operation of the flow adjusting part 130, based on temperature values sensed at the temperature sensors 210, 220, and 230.
- the control part 200 may control operations of the first and second compressors 111 and 115, the condensing fan 125, and the first and second evaporation fans 155 and 165 for a simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment or a cooling operation on any one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.
- the refrigerator 10 includes a timer 240 that integrates elapse time values for operating the flow adjusting part 130 during the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.
- the timer 240 may integrate elapse times when the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105 are opened, or elapse times when the first and second refrigerant passages 101 and 103 are opened.
- the refrigerator 10 includes a memory part 250 that stores time values of simultaneous operations of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, and the time values are mapped onto information about an outer temperature condition of the refrigerator 10, that is, information about the outer temperature of the refrigerator 10, and information about a temperature condition of the storage of the refrigerator 10, that is, information about the inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment.
- an outer temperature value may be sensed by the outer temperature sensor 230, and a state condition or state information of a storage may be determined based on a temperature value sensed at the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 210 or the freezer compartment temperature sensor 220, or based on information about whether the compressor 110 is activated.
- the compressor 110 includes the first compressor 111 and the second compressor 115.
- the state condition of a storage may include a "cooling activation” state, a “freezer compartment load reaction” state, a “refrigerator compartment load reaction” state, and a “simultaneous storage cooling (simultaneous cooling of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment)" state.
- the "cooling activation” state is understood as a state in which re-driving of the compressor 110 starts after the compressor 110 is turned off. That is, the "cooling activation” state may range from a state, in which the compressor 110 is turned off and a high pressure and a lower pressure of the refrigerant are out of a set range, to a state in which the refrigerant has a pressure within the set range after the compressor 110 is activated before operation S12 of Fig. 3 . For example, the cooling activation state may be maintained for about 2 to 3 minutes after an operation of the compressor 110 starts.
- the "freezer compartment load reaction” state is understood as a state in which a temperature of the freezer compartment unexpectedly increases, for example, a state in which a door of the freezer compartment is opened for a long time and the temperature of the freezer compartment unexpectedly increases to a temperature equal to or higher than a set temperature.
- the "refrigerator compartment load reaction” state is understood as a state in which a temperature of the refrigerator compartment unexpectedly increases, for example, a state in which a door of the refrigerator compartment is opened for a long time and the temperature of the refrigerator compartment unexpectedly increases to a temperature equal to or higher than a set temperature.
- the "simultaneous storage cooling (simultaneous cooling of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment)" state may be understood as a state in which simultaneous cooling of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is needed, for example, a state in which the inner temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment fail to reach target temperatures.
- the memory part 250 may store mapped information as shown in table 1.
- Table 1 OUTER TEMPERATURE CONDITION OUTER TEMPERATURE ⁇ 16°C 16°C ⁇ OUTER TEMPERATURE ⁇ 28°C OUTER TEMPERATURE > 28°C STORAGE STATE CONDITION COOLING ACTIVATION CASE 1 CASE 2 100 seconds 120 seconds 110 seconds 150 seconds 90 seconds 90 seconds FREEZER COMPARTMENT LOAD REACTION 90 seconds 120 seconds 120 seconds 150 seconds 150 seconds 150 seconds 180 seconds REFRIGERATOR COMPARTMENT LOAD REACTION 120 seconds 90 seconds 150 seconds 120 seconds 180 seconds 150 seconds SIMULTANEOUS STORAGE COOLING 60 seconds 100 seconds 90 seconds 150 seconds 120 seconds 180 seconds 180 seconds
- case 1 is a first control state of the flow adjusting part 130 in which the flow adjusting part 130 is adjusted to open the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105. That is, “case 1" is a control state for addressing an unequal introduction of the refrigerant to the second evaporator 160 and is understood as "a first adjustment state" of the flow adjusting part 130.
- the unequal introduction of the refrigerant to the second evaporator 160 means concentration of the refrigerant to the second evaporator 160.
- Case 2 is a second control state of the flow adjusting part 130 in which the flow adjusting part 130 is adjusted to open the first and second refrigerant passages 101 and 103 and close the third refrigerant passage 105. That is, “case 2" is a control state for addressing an unequal introduction of the refrigerant to the first evaporator 150 and is understood as “a second adjustment state” of the flow adjusting part 130.
- the unequal introduction of the refrigerant to the first evaporator 150 means concentration of the refrigerant to the second evaporator 150.
- a storage state condition is the "cooling activation" state
- the outer temperature of the refrigerator 10 is equal to or lower than 16°C
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 90 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 90 seconds according to case 2.
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 100 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 120 seconds according to case 2.
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 90 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 120 seconds according to case 2.
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 120 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 150 seconds according to case 2.
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 120 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 90 seconds according to case 2.
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 150 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 120 seconds according to case 2.
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 60 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 100 seconds according to case 2.
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 90 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 150 seconds according to case 2.
- a control time of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 1 is referred to as "a first set time”
- a control time of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 is referred to as "a second set time”.
- the refrigerator 10 includes a target temperature setting part 260 to which the target temperatures of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment are input.
- the target temperature setting part 260 may be disposed on a front surface of the door of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, in a location where a user can conveniently manipulate the target temperature setting part 290.
- Information input through the target temperature setting part 260 may be used as control reference information for the compressor 110, the blower fans 125, 155, and 165, or the flow adjusting part 130.
- the first and second compressors 111 and 115 are activated to operate the refrigerator 10. As the compressor 110 is activated, the refrigerating cycle may be driven according to compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of the refrigerant.
- the refrigerant evaporated at the second evaporator 160 may be compressed at the second compressor 115, join the refrigerant evaporated at the first evaporator 150, and be introduced into the first compressor 111 (S11).
- the simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment in an initial stage according to the driving of the refrigerating cycle.
- pressure values according to a refrigerant circulation may reach set ranges. That is, high pressures of the refrigerant discharged from the first and second compressors 111 and 115, and low pressures of the refrigerant discharged from the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 may be formed in set ranges.
- a target temperature of the storage of the refrigerator 10 may be preset (S12).
- the temperature sensors 210, 220, and 230 may primarily sense temperature conditions related to the inner temperature of the storage and the outer temperature of the refrigerator 10.
- An outer temperature condition and a storage state condition as shown in table 1 may be determined considering the sensed temperature conditions and whether the compressor 110 is activated (S13).
- the simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment according to the mapped information as shown in table 1.
- a time control operation is performed according to case 1 to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced to the second evaporator 160, and then, a time control operation is performed according to case 2 to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced to the first evaporator 150 (S14).
- the refrigerator compartment temperature sensor 210 and the freezer compartment temperature sensor 220 may sense whether the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature.
- the storage as the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, the temperature of which does not reach the target temperature, is solely cooled, that is, the evaporator corresponding to the storage is solely operated.
- the operation of the compressor 110 may be turned off.
- operation S14 is performed again to simultaneously operate the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 again.
- the simultaneous operation may be repeated until at least one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature (S15 and S16) .
- the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment may increase.
- a simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 according to cases 1 and 2 and the mapped information of the unchanged outer temperature condition or the unchanged storage state condition (S19 and S20) .
- the simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 according to cases 1 and 2 and the mapped information of the changed outer temperature condition or the changed storage state condition (S23).
- the flow adjusting part 130 may be repeatedly controlled according to cases 1 and 2 based on the mapped information of the outer temperature conditions and the storage state conditions as shown in table 1.
- the method of controlling the refrigerator 10 may be performed until the refrigerator 10 is turned off to end the simultaneous operation (time controls) of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 (S21, S22, and S24).
- controls of the flow adjusting part 130 for preventing the refrigerant from being unequally introduced to the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 are sequentially performed according to cases 1 and 2, thereby improving cooling efficiency of the storage of the refrigerator 10 and operation efficiency of the refrigerator 10.
- Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to another embodiment.
- a refrigerator 10a includes a refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 for guiding a flow of refrigerant condensed at a condenser 120, a flow adjusting part 130 installed on the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and dividing the refrigerant into flows to first and second evaporators 150 and 160, and a plurality of refrigerant passages 101, 103, 105, and 107 extending from an outlet side of the flow adjusting part 130 to the first and second evaporators 150 and 160.
- the refrigerant passages 101, 103, 105, and 107 are understood as “branch passages" diverging from the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and include first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105 connected to the first evaporator 150, and second and fourth refrigerant passages 103 and 107 connected to the second evaporator 160.
- the first and third refrigerant passages 101 and 105 guide the refrigerant to be introduced into the first evaporator 150 and may be thus referred to as "first evaporation passages".
- the second and fourth refrigerant passages 103 and 107 guide the refrigerant to be introduced into the second evaporator 160 and may be thus referred to as "second evaporation passages”.
- the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigerant passage 101 and the refrigerant flowing through the third refrigerant passage105 may join each other and be then introduced into the first evaporator 150.
- the refrigerant flowing through the second refrigerant passage 103 and the refrigerant flowing through the fourth refrigerant passage107 may join each other and be then introduced into the second evaporator 160.
- the refrigerant discharged from the second evaporator 160 may be introduced into a second compressor 115, and the refrigerant compressed at the second compressor 115 may join the refrigerant discharged from the first evaporator 150 and be introduced into a first compressor 111.
- a plurality of expansion devices 141, 143, 145, and 147 are disposed on the refrigerant passages 101, 103, 105, and 107.
- the expansion devices 141, 143, 145, and 147 include capillary tubes.
- the expansion devices 141, 143, 145, and 147 include a first expansion device 141 disposed on the first refrigerant passage 101, a second expansion device 143 disposed on the second refrigerant passage 103, a third expansion device 145 disposed on the third refrigerant passage 105, and a fourth expansion device 147 disposed on the fourth refrigerant passage 107.
- the flow adjusting part 130 may include a five-way valve, which includes an inflow part through which the refrigerant is introduced, and four outflow parts through which the refrigerant is discharged.
- the first to fourth refrigerant passages 101, 103, 105, and 107 may be connected to the four outflow parts.
- At least one of the first refrigerant passage 101 and the third refrigerant passage 105, and at least one of the second refrigerant passage 103 and the fourth refrigerant passage 107 may be opened according to a control of the flow adjusting part 130.
- any one of the first evaporation passages 101 and 105 and the second evaporation passages 103 and 107 may be closed.
- the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105 may be opened, and the fourth refrigerant passage 107 may be closed.
- an amount of the refrigerant introduced into the first evaporator 150 may be greater than an amount of the refrigerant introduced into the second evaporator 160.
- first, second, and fourth refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 107 may be opened, and the third refrigerant passage 105 may be closed.
- an amount of the refrigerant introduced into the second evaporator 160 may be greater than an amount of the refrigerant introduced into the first evaporator 150.
- a plurality of refrigerant passages and a plurality of expansion devices are disposed at an inlet side of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160, and at least one of the refrigerant passages is opened or closed according to whether refrigerant introduced into the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 is excessive or insufficient, thereby controlling a flow rate of the refrigerant.
- refrigerant is prevented from being unequally introduced into any one of the evaporators.
- time controls according to case 1 as shown in table 1 may be used.
- Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to an embodiment which is included for illustrative purposes.
- Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of Fig. 5 .
- a refrigerator 10b includes a refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 for guiding a flow of refrigerant condensed at a condenser 120, a flow adjusting part 130 installed on the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and dividing the refrigerant into flows to first and second evaporators 150 and 160, and a plurality of refrigerant passages 201 and 203 extending from an outlet side of the flow adjusting part 130 to the first and second evaporators 150 and 160.
- the refrigerant passages 201 and 203 are understood as “branch passages" diverging from the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and include a first refrigerant passage 201 connected to the first evaporator 150, and a second refrigerant passage 203 connected to the second evaporator 160.
- a plurality of expansion devices 241 and 243 are disposed on the refrigerant passages 201 and 203.
- the expansion devices 241 and 243 include capillary tubes.
- the expansion devices 241 and 243 include a first expansion device 241 disposed on the first refrigerant passage 201, and a second expansion device 243 disposed on the second refrigerant passage 203.
- the flow adjusting part 130 may include a three-way valve, which includes an inflow part through which the refrigerant is introduced, and two outflow parts through which the refrigerant is discharged.
- the first and second refrigerant passages 201 and 203 may be connected to the two outflow parts.
- the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled such that the refrigerant is simultaneously introduced into the first and second refrigerant passages 201 and 203.
- the refrigerator 10 includes flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 for adjusting flows of the refrigerant.
- the flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 may be installed on at least one of the first and second refrigerant passages 201 and 203.
- the flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 include a first flow rate adjusting part 251 installed on the first refrigerant passage 201, and a second flow rate adjusting part 253 installed on the second refrigerant passage 203.
- the first and second flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 may include an electric expansion valve (EEV) to adjust degrees of opening of the first and second flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253.
- EEV electric expansion valve
- the first and second flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 are disposed at outlet sides of the first and second expansion devices 241 and 243, respectively.
- the first and second flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 may be disposed at inlet sides of the first and second expansion devices 241 and 243, respectively.
- the degree of the opening of the first flow rate adjusting part 251 is greater than the degree of the opening of the second flow rate adjusting part 253, a larger amount of the refrigerant flows through the first refrigerant passage 201.
- the degree of the opening of the second flow rate adjusting part 253 is greater than the degree of the opening of the first flow rate adjusting part 251, a larger amount of the refrigerant flows through the second refrigerant passage 203.
- the first and second flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 minutely adjust a degree of opening of a refrigerant passage, so as to minutely adjust an amount of the refrigerant to be introduced into the first evaporator 150 or the second evaporator 160.
- the refrigerant is prevented from being unequally introduced into the first or second evaporator 150 or 160.
- the first and second flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 are disposed on the first and second refrigerant passages 201 and 203, respectively.
- a flow rate adjusting part may be disposed on the first or second refrigerant passage 201 or 203.
- a flow rate adjusting part is provided on any one of refrigerant passages to adjust a degree of opening thereof, thereby relatively adjusting an amount of refrigerant passing through the other. That is, when a degree of opening of the flow rate adjusting part increases, the amount of the refrigerant passing through the second refrigerant passage decreases. When the degree of the opening of the flow rate adjusting part decreases, the amount of the refrigerant passing through the second refrigerant passage increases.
- the flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 may be individually provided on the refrigerant passages 101, 103, 105, and 107 as described according to the previous embodiments. In this case, a flow rate of the refrigerant is minutely adjusted.
- the time controls according to case 1 as shown in table 1 may be used.
- the degree of the opening of the first flow rate adjusting part 251 may be controlled to be greater than the degree of the opening of the second flow rate adjusting part 253.
- the time controls according to case 2 as shown in table 1 may be used.
- the degree of the opening of the second flow rate adjusting part 253 may be controlled to be greater than the degree of the opening of the first flow rate adjusting part 251.
- Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment which is included for illustrative purposes.
- Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the refrigerator according to the embodiment of Fig. 7 .
- Components of the refrigerator as illustrated in Fig. 7 may be formed by adding components to cycle components of the refrigerator as illustrated in Fig. 1 .
- a refrigerator 10c includes a plurality of temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, and 340 for sensing inlet temperatures and outlet temperatures of a first evaporator 150 and a second evaporator 160.
- the temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, and 340 include a first inlet temperature sensor 310 for sensing the inlet temperature of the first evaporator 150, and a first outlet temperature sensor 320 for sensing the outlet temperature of the first evaporator 150.
- the temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, and 340 include a second inlet temperature sensor 330 for sensing the inlet temperature of the second evaporator 160, and a second outlet temperature sensor 340 for sensing the outlet temperature of the second evaporator 160.
- the refrigerator 10c includes a control part 200 that controls an operation of a flow adjusting part 130, based on temperature values sensed at the temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, and 340.
- the control part 200 may control operations of a compressor 110, a condensing fan 125, and first and second evaporation fans 155 and 165 for a simultaneous cooling operation on a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment.
- the compressor 110 includes a first compressor 111 and a second compressor 115.
- the refrigerator 10c includes a storage temperature sensor 350 for sensing an inner temperature of a storage of the refrigerator 10c.
- the storage temperature sensor 350 includes a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor disposed in the refrigerator compartment to sense an inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment, and a freezer compartment temperature sensor disposed in the freezer compartment to sense a temperature of the freezer compartment.
- the refrigerator 10c includes a target temperature setting part 380 to which a target temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment is input.
- Information input through the target temperature setting part 380 may be used as control reference information for the compressor 110, blower fans 125, 155, and 165, or the flow adjusting part 130. That is, based on the information input through the target temperature setting part 380, and information sensed at the storage temperature sensor 350, the control part 200 may determine whether to perform the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, a single operation of any one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, or turning off of the compressor 110.
- control part 200 may control the compressor 110 and the flow adjusting part 130 to perform the simultaneous cooling operation.
- control part 200 may control the compressor 110 and the flow adjusting part 130 to perform a single operation on the freezer compartment.
- control part 200 may turn the operation of the compressor 110 off.
- the refrigerator 10c includes a timer 360 that integrates elapse time values for operating the flow adjusting part 130 during the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.
- the timer 360 may integrate elapse times when first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105 are opened, or elapse times when the first and second refrigerant passages 101 and 103 are opened.
- the refrigerator 10c includes a memory part 370 that stores time values mapped onto adjustment states of the flow adjusting part 130 during the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.
- the memory part 370 may store mapped information as shown in table 2.
- Table 2 EQUAL OR UNEQUAL INTRODUCTION OF REFRIGERANT CASE 1 CASE 2 START OF SIMULTANEOUS COOLING OPERATION (REFERENCE VALUE) 90 seconds 90 seconds UNEQUAL INTRODUCTION OF REFRIGERANT TO FIRST EVAPORATOR 90 seconds 120 seconds UNEQUAL INTRODUCTION OF REFRIGERANT TO SECOND EVAPORATOR 90 seconds 60 seconds
- case 1 is a first control state (adjustment state) of the flow adjusting part 130 in which the flow adjusting part 130 is adjusted to open the first to third refrigerant passages 101, 103, and 105.
- Case 2 is a second control state (adjustment state) of the flow adjusting part 130 in which the flow adjusting part 130 is adjusted to open the first and second refrigerant passages 101 and 103 and close the third refrigerant passage 105.
- the control part 200 controls the flow adjusting part 130 to be maintained in the first control state for 90 seconds and be then maintained in the second control state for 90 seconds.
- the first and second control states of the flow adjusting part 130 may be alternately performed until the simultaneous cooling operation is unnecessary.
- a supply of the refrigerant to at least one of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 may be stopped (a single operation of an evaporator).
- the compressor 110 may be turned off.
- the control part 200 recognizes whether the refrigerant is unequally supplied to an evaporator, based on the temperature values of the temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, and 340.
- the control part 200 uses variations of time values according to cases 1 and 2. That is, when the refrigerant is unequally introduced into the first evaporator 150, a time of supplying the refrigerant to the second evaporator 160 should be relatively increased. Thus, a control time in case 2 may be increased (120 seconds).
- control part 200 may decrease the control time in case 2 (60 seconds) to relatively increase a time of supplying the refrigerant to the first evaporator 150.
- a control time in case 2 is adjusted to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into the evaporator. It may be recognized that a cooling load of a storage on which the second evaporator 160 is disposed is smaller than a cooling load of a storage on which the first evaporator 150 is disposed.
- a control time of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 1 is referred to as "a first set time”
- a control time of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 is referred to as "a second set time”.
- the first and second compressors 111 and 115 are activated to operate the refrigerator 10c. As the compressor 110 is activated, a refrigerating cycle may be driven according to compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of the refrigerant.
- the refrigerant evaporated at the second evaporator 160 may be compressed at the second compressor 115, join the refrigerant evaporated at the first evaporator 150, and be introduced into the first compressor 111 (S31).
- the simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment in an initial stage according to the driving of the refrigerating cycle.
- a pressure value according to a refrigerant circulation may reach a set range. That is, high pressures of the refrigerant discharged from the first and second compressors 111 and 115, and low pressures of the refrigerant discharged from the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 may be formed in set ranges.
- a target temperature of the storage of the refrigerator 10c may be preset (S32).
- the simultaneous cooling operation condition for the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is satisfied. For example, when it is recognized based on a value sensed at the storage temperature sensor 350 that the inner temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are equal to or higher than the target temperature, the simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment (S33).
- the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 are simultaneously operated according to pre-mapped information. That is, the operation of the flow adjusting part 130 is controlled to simultaneously supply the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators 150 and 160.
- the flow adjusting part 130 may be adjusted such that the first control state according to case 1 is maintained for 90 seconds, and then, the second control state according to case 2 is maintained for 90 seconds, as illustrated in table 2 That is, a time control operation is performed according to case 1 to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into the second evaporator 160, and then, a time control operation is performed according to case 2 to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into the first evaporator 150 (S34).
- the storage temperature sensor 350 may sense whether the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature.
- the cooling of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment is unnecessary, and thus, the simultaneous cooling operation is also unnecessary.
- a storage as the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, the temperature of which does not reach the target temperature, is solely cooled, that is, an evaporator corresponding to the storage is solely operated.
- the operation of the compressor 110 may be turned off.
- operation S33 is performed again to simultaneously operate the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 again.
- the simultaneous operation may be repeated until at least one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature.
- controls of the flow adjusting part 130 for preventing the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 are sequentially performed according to cases 1 and 2, thereby improving cooling efficiency of the storage of the refrigerator 10c and operation efficiency of the refrigerator 10c (S35 and S36).
- the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment may increase.
- the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the first evaporator 150 may be sensed by the first inlet temperature sensor 210 and the first outlet temperature sensor 220.
- the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the second evaporator 160 may be sensed by the second inlet temperature sensor 230 and the second outlet temperature sensor 240 (S38).
- the control part 200 may determine a difference value between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 and a difference value between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160.
- the control part 200 may recognize whether information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160 is included in a set range.
- whether the refrigerant flowing through the first or second evaporator 150 or 160 is excessive or insufficient, that is, whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced into the first or second evaporator 150 or 160 may be recognized by the control part 200 based on the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first and second evaporators 150 and160.
- whether the refrigerant flowing through the first or second evaporator 150 or 160 is excessive or insufficient may be determined based on one of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150, a difference value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160, and a ratio value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160 (S39).
- whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced may be determined according to whether the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is equal to, greater than, or smaller than a preset reference value.
- the flow adjusting part 130 divides the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerating cycle into flows to the first evaporator 150 and the second evaporator 160.
- a ratio of the refrigerant passing through the first evaporator 150 may be recognized.
- a ratio of the refrigerant passing through the second evaporator 160 may be recognized based on the ratio of the refrigerant passing through the first evaporator 150.
- the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is greater than the preset reference value, it may be determined that the amount of the refrigerant introduced to the first evaporator 150 is insufficient, and it may be recognized that the amount of the refrigerant introduced to the second evaporator 160 is relatively great.
- a method of determining whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced, by using the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is described according to the current embodiment.
- whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced may be determined using the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160.
- the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is equal to the preset reference value (a reference temperature), it may be recognized that the refrigerant is not unequally introduced to the first or second evaporator 150 or 160.
- operation S34 may be performed again to control the flow adjusting part 130, based on a time value set when the simultaneous cooling operation starts. That is, an adjustment state according to each of cases 1 and 2 may be maintained for 90 seconds. Then, operations S35 to S38 may be performed again.
- the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is not equal to the preset reference value and is greater or small than the preset reference value, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced to the first or second evaporator 150 or 160.
- the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is smaller than the preset reference value, it is recognized that a relatively large amount of the refrigerant passes through the first evaporator 150. That is, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into the first evaporator 150.
- This case corresponds to a condition "unequal introduction of refrigerant to first evaporator" of table 2, and a control state of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 1 is maintained for 90 seconds, and a control state of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 is maintained for 120 seconds. That is, an adjustment time of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 under the condition "unequal introduction of refrigerant to first evaporator” is increased relative to an adjustment time of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 under a condition "start of simultaneous cooling operation", thereby relatively decreasing the amount of the refrigerant introduced into the first evaporator 150 (S40 and S41).
- the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is greater than the preset reference value, it is recognized that a relatively small amount of the refrigerant passes through the first evaporator 150. That is, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into the second evaporator 160.
- This case corresponds to a condition "unequal introduction of refrigerant to second evaporator" of table 2, and the control state of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 1 is maintained for 90 seconds, and the control state of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 is maintained for 120 seconds. That is, an adjustment time of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 under the condition "unequal introduction of refrigerant to second evaporator” is decreased relative to the adjustment time of the flow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 under the condition "start of simultaneous cooling operation", thereby relatively increasing the amount of the refrigerant introduced into the first evaporator 150 (S43 and S44).
- operation S34 may be performed again based on values of the changed control times until the refrigerator 10c is turned off (S42) .
- control times of the flow adjusting part 130 are changed based on the information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160, thereby preventing the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into the first or second evaporator 150 or 160.
- whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced may be determined according to whether a ratio of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 to the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160 is equal to, greater than, or smaller than a first set value.
- the first set value may be 1.
- the ratio of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 to the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160 is 1, that is, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is the same as the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160, it is recognized that the refrigerant is equally introduced into the first and second evaporators 150 and 160.
- the ratio of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 to the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160 is greater than 1, that is, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is greater than the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into the second evaporator 160.
- the ratio of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 to the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160 is smaller than 1, that is, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 is smaller than the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into the first evaporator 150.
- whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced may be determined according to whether the difference value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator 150 and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160 is equal to, greater than, or smaller than a second set value.
- the second set value may be 0.
- Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment which is included for illustrative purposes. Components of the refrigerator as illustrated in Fig. 9 may be formed by adding components to cycle components of the refrigerator as illustrated in Fig. 5 .
- a refrigerator 10d includes a refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 for guiding a flow of refrigerant condensed at a condenser 120, a flow adjusting part 130 installed on the refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and dividing the refrigerant into flows to first and second evaporators 150 and 160, and a plurality of refrigerant passages 201 and 203 extending from an outlet side of the flow adjusting part 130 to the first and second evaporators 150 and 160.
- the description with reference to Fig. 5 is applied to these elements included in the refrigerator 10d.
- the refrigerator 10d includes: a plurality of temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, and 340 for sensing inlet and outlet temperatures of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160; a storage temperature sensor 350; a timer 360; a memory part 370; and a target temperature setting part 380.
- a plurality of temperature sensors 310, 320, 330, and 340 for sensing inlet and outlet temperatures of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160
- a storage temperature sensor 350 for sensing inlet and outlet temperatures of the first and second evaporators 150 and 160
- a timer 360 for a timer 360
- a memory part 370 for a timer 360
- a target temperature setting part 380 for controlling the temperature of the refrigerator 10d.
- the time controls according to case 1 as shown in table 2 may be used.
- the degree of the opening of the first flow rate adjusting part 251 may be controlled to be greater than the degree of the opening of the second flow rate adjusting part 253.
- the time controls according to case 2 as shown in table 2 may be used.
- the degree of the opening of the second flow rate adjusting part 253 may be controlled to be greater than the degree of the opening of the first flow rate adjusting part 251.
- the flow adjusting part 130 and the degrees of the opening of the first and second flow rate adjusting parts 251 and 253 are controlled to adjust the amounts of the refrigerant passing through the first and second refrigerant passages 201 and 203, the refrigerant is prevented from being unequally introduced into the first or second evaporator 150 or 160, thus improving cooling efficiency and decreasing power consumption.
- a plurality of evaporators can be simultaneously operated, and thus, a plurality of storages can be effectively cooled.
- a plurality of refrigerant passages are provided at an inlet side of at least one of the evaporators, and the refrigerant passages are provided with expansion devices, respectively, to control flows of refrigerant.
- amounts of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporators may be adjusted based on time values predetermined according to inner and outer temperature conditions of the refrigerator, thus effectively distributing the refrigerant to the evaporators.
- a first control process in which an amount of the refrigerant supplied to one of the evaporators is increased, and a second control process in which amounts of the refrigerant supplied to the other evaporators are increased, are performed according to set time periods, thus preventing the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into one of the evaporators.
- a method of controlling an operation of a flow adjusting part according to a time period without using a separate control part prevents unequal introduction of the refrigerant, thus saving costs.
- amounts of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporators may be adjusted based on a predetermined time value and differences between inlet and outlet temperatures of the evaporators, thus effectively distributing the refrigerant to the evaporators.
- the first control process in which an amount of the refrigerant supplied to one of the evaporators is increased, and the second control process in which amounts of the refrigerant supplied to the other evaporators are increased are basically performed according to time periods set during a simultaneous cooling operation.
- a control time value of the first and second control processes may be changed based on inlet and outlet temperature information of first and second evaporators, an accurate control can be performed to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into a specific one of the evaporators.
- flow rate adjusting parts are provided on the refrigerant passages to adjust degrees of opening thereof, thereby accurately controlling flow rates of the refrigerant.
- an inlet side refrigerant flow resistance of a high pressure evaporator may be smaller than that of a low pressure evaporator, thus preventing an unequal introduction of the refrigerant to the low pressure evaporator caused by a pressure difference of the refrigerant.
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Description
- The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator and a method of controlling the refrigerator.
- Refrigerators include a plurality of storages for storing food at a frozen state or a refrigerated state. The storages have an open side for allowing access to the food stored in the storages. The storages include a freezer compartment for storing food in the frozen state, and a refrigerator compartment for storing food in the refrigerated state.
- A refrigerating system through which refrigerant circulates is driven in such a refrigerator. The refrigerating system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The evaporator may include a first evaporator disposed at a side of a refrigerator compartment, and a second evaporator disposed at a side of a freezer compartment.
- Cold air stored in the refrigerator compartment may be cooled through the first evaporator and be then supplied again to the refrigerator compartment. Cold air stored in the freezer compartment may be cooled through the second evaporator and be then supplied again to the freezer compartment.
- The refrigerant may be selectively supplied to the first or second evaporator and be evaporated.
- As such, typical refrigerators are configured such that a plurality of storages are independently cooled through separate evaporators, and refrigerant is supplied to any one of the evaporators to cool one of the storages and stop cooling of the other storages.
- Thus, simultaneous cooling of the storages is delimited, and one of the storages and the others are selectively or alternately cooled.
- In this case, the storage that is cooled is maintained at an appropriate range of temperatures, but temperatures of the storages that are not cooled increase to be out of a normal range. In addition, when cooling of one of the storages is needed, it may be sensed that the temperatures of the other storages are out of the normal range. In this case, the other storages cannot be instantly cooled.
- As a result, a structure for independently cooling storages cannot supply cold air to a suitable place at a suitable time, thus decreasing operation efficiency of a refrigerator.
US 2008/0190125 describes a refrigerator having a two-stage compressor, a condenser and a first and second evaporator. A three way valve connects the condenser to the first and second evaporator. A controller controls a freezing cycle device on the basis of the detection condition of a temperature sensor for a freezing chamber and a temperature sensor for a refrigerating chamber. The controller controls an opening of the valve so as to make a superheat amount which is a difference between an exit temperature and an entrance temperature of a refrigerating evaporator equal to a target superheat amount, and thereby adjusts a refrigerant flow rate to refrigerating evaporator in a limited state.
US 2002/0134095 describes a refrigerator including a first passage including a cold storage zone capillary tube and a cold storage zone evaporator, the latter two being connected in series to each other, a second passage including a freezing zone capillary tube and a freezing zone evaporator, the latter two being connected in series to each other, a switching valve causing the refrigerant condensed by the condenser to flow selectively through any one of the first passage, the second passage and both the first and second passages. A control device switches the switching valve upon power supply to the refrigerator so that the refrigerant flows simultaneously through both the first and second passages, starting the compressor. - Embodiments provide a refrigerator and a method of controlling the refrigerator, which efficiently cool a plurality of storages.
- The object is solved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.
- According to the present invention, a method of controlling a refrigerator includes: driving a refrigerating cycle including a first evaporator and a second evaporator by activating a compressor; simultaneously supplying cold air to a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment by supplying refrigerant to the first and second evaporators according to the driving of the refrigerating cycle; preventing the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator by decreasing, for a first set time, a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator; and preventing the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator by increasing, for a second set time, a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator.
- The preventing of the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator, and the preventing of the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator may be repeated until a temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches a target temperature.
- When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature, the refrigerant may be prevented from being supplied to at least one of the first and second evaporators, or an operation of the compressor may be stopped.
- According to the present invention, the first set time and the second set time is mapped onto values that are different according to both an outer temperature condition of the refrigerator and state information of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.
- The state information of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment may include at least one of information about a cooling activation state in which the activation of the compressor starts; information about a load reaction state in which a temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment increases to be equal to or higher than a set temperature; and information about a state in which the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are simultaneously cooled.
- The first or second set time may be changed according to a change of the outer temperature condition of the refrigerator or the state information of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, and the flow rate of the refrigerant may be adjusted according to the changed first or second set time.
- The method may further include determining whether one of the first and second set times is changed, based on information about a difference between an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the first evaporator or a difference between an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the second evaporator.
- The determining of whether one of the first and second set times is changed may include recognizing whether the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator, and whether the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator may be determined according to whether at least one of the information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator, and the information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator is included within a set range.
- Whether the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator may be determined based on one of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator, a difference value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator, and a ratio value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator.
- The determining of whether one of the first and second set times is changed may include fixing the first set time and increasing or decreasing the second set time when the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator.
- A cooling load of a storage on which the first evaporator is disposed may be greater than a cooling load of a storage on which the second evaporator is disposed.
- The method may further include changing the flow rates of the refrigerant supplied to the first and second evaporators, according to a change of the first or second set time, when whether one of the first and second set times is changed is determined.
- According to the present invention, a refrigerator includes: a compressor that compresses refrigerant to drive a refrigerating cycle for supplying cold air to a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment; a condenser that condenses the refrigerant compressed at the compressor; a refrigerant pipe arrangement that guides a flow of the refrigerant condensed at the condenser; a plurality of refrigerant passages that diverge from the refrigerant pipe arrangement and are provided with expansion devices; first and second evaporators for evaporating the refrigerant passed through the refrigerant passages; a storage temperature sensor that senses an inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment; an outer temperature sensor that senses an outer temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment; a flow adjusting part that adjusts amounts of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant passages; a memory part in which information about control times of the flow adjusting part is mapped onto information sensed at the storage temperature sensor and the outer temperature sensor and is stored; and a control part that controls the flow adjusting part to simultaneously supply the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators, based on the mapped information stored in the memory part.
- The information about the control times of the flow adjusting part may include: information about a first set time of decreasing an amount of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator to prevent the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator; and information about a second set time of increasing an amount of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator to prevent the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator.
- The control part may maintain a first adjustment state of the flow adjusting part for the first set time, and then, maintain a second adjustment state of the flow adjusting part for the second set time, and repeatedly control the first and second adjustment states of the flow adjusting part until a temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches a target temperature.
- The refrigerator may further include a temperature sensor that senses inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator or inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator, wherein the control part determines whether to change a first or second set time, based on information sensed at the temperature sensor.
- According to the information sensed at the temperature sensor, the control part may increase the second set time when recognizing that the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator, and decrease the second set time when recognizing that the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator.
- According to the present invention, the refrigerant passages include: a first refrigerant passage provided with a first expansion device and connected to the first evaporator; a second refrigerant passage provided with a second expansion device and connected to the second evaporator; and a third refrigerant passage provided with a third expansion device and connected to the first evaporator.
- The refrigerant passages may include: a first refrigerant passage provided with a first expansion device and connected to the first evaporator; a second refrigerant passage provided with a second expansion device and connected to the second evaporator; a third refrigerant passage provided with a third expansion device and connected to the first evaporator; and a fourth refrigerant passage provided with a fourth expansion device and connected to the second evaporator.
- The refrigerant passages may include: a first refrigerant passage provided with a first expansion device and connected to the first evaporator; and a second refrigerant passage provided with a second expansion device and connected to the second evaporator, and the refrigerator may include: a first flow rate adjusting part provided on the first refrigerant passage to adjust a refrigerant amount; and a second flow rate adjusting part provided on the second refrigerant passage to adjust a refrigerant amount.
- The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
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Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. -
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment ofFig. 1 . -
Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the refrigerator according to the embodiment ofFig. 1 . -
Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. -
Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to an embodiment which is included for illustrative purposes and does not form part of the claimed invention. -
Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment ofFig. 5 . -
Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment which is included for illustrative purposes and does not form part of the claimed invention. -
Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the refrigerator according to the embodiment ofFig. 7 . -
Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment which is included for illustrative purposes and does not form part of the claimed invention. - Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
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Fig. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. - Referring to
Fig. 1 , arefrigerator 10 according to the current embodiment includes a plurality of devices for driving a refrigerating cycle. - In particular, the
refrigerator 10 includes a plurality ofcompressors condenser 120 for condensing the refrigerant compressed at thecompressors expansion devices condenser 120, and a plurality ofevaporators expansion devices - Further, the
refrigerator 10 includes arefrigerant pipe arrangement 100 that connects thecompressors condenser 120, theexpansion devices evaporators - The
compressors second compressor 115 disposed at a low pressure side, and afirst compressor 111 for further compressing refrigerant compressed at thesecond compressor 115. - The
first compressor 111 is connected in series to thesecond compressor 115. That is, a portion of therefrigerant pipe arrangement 100 disposed at an outlet side of thesecond compressor 115 is connected to an inlet side of thefirst compressor 111. - The
evaporators first evaporator 150 for generating cold air to be supplied to any one of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, and asecond evaporator 160 for generating cold air to be supplied to the other. - For example, the
first evaporator 150 may generate cold air to be supplied to the refrigerator compartment and be disposed at a side of the refrigerator compartment. Thesecond evaporator 160 may generate cold air to be supplied to the freezer compartment and be disposed at a side of the freezer compartment. - A temperature of the cold air supplied to the freezer compartment may be lower than that of the cold air supplied to the refrigerator compartment. Thus, a refrigerant evaporation pressure of the
second evaporator 160 may be lower than that of thefirst evaporator 150. - A portion of the
refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 disposed at an outlet side of thesecond evaporator 160 extends to an inlet side of thesecond compressor 115. Thus, the refrigerant passed through thesecond evaporator 160 may be introduced into thesecond compressor 115. - A portion of the
refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 disposed at an outlet side of thefirst evaporator 150 is connected to the portion of therefrigerant pipe arrangement 100 disposed at the outlet side of thesecond compressor 115. Thus, the refrigerant passed through thefirst evaporator 150 may join the refrigerant compressed at thesecond compressor 115 and be introduced into thefirst compressor 111. - The
expansion devices third expansion devices first evaporator 150, and asecond expansion device 143 for expanding the refrigerant to be introduced into thesecond evaporator 160. The first tothird expansion devices - The
second evaporator 160 may be used as an evaporator for the freezer compartment, and thefirst evaporator 150 may be used as an evaporator for the refrigerator compartment. In this case, a diameter of the capillary tube of thesecond expansion device 143 may be smaller than diameters of the capillary tubes of the first andthird expansion devices second evaporator 160 is lower than that of thefirst evaporator 150. -
Refrigerant passages first evaporator 150 to guide the refrigerant to be introduced into thefirst evaporator 150. - The
refrigerant passages refrigerant passage 101 on which thefirst expansion device 141 is installed, and a thirdrefrigerant passage 105 on which thethird expansion device 145 is installed. The first and thirdrefrigerant passages first evaporator 150 and may be thus referred to as "first evaporation passages". The refrigerant flowing through the firstrefrigerant passage 101 and the refrigerant flowing through the third refrigerant passage105 may join each other and be then introduced into thefirst evaporator 150. - A
refrigerant passage 103 is disposed at an inlet side of thesecond evaporator 160 to guide the refrigerant to be introduced into thesecond evaporator 160. Therefrigerant passage 103 includes a secondrefrigerant passage 103 on which thesecond expansion device 143 is installed. The secondrefrigerant passage 103 guides the refrigerant to be introduced into thesecond evaporator 160 and may be thus referred to as "a second evaporation passage". - The first to third
refrigerant passages refrigerant pipe arrangement 100. - The
refrigerator 10 includes aflow adjusting part 130 that divides the refrigerant to be introduced into the first to thirdrefrigerant passages flow adjusting part 130 may be understood as a device for adjusting flows of the refrigerant such that at least one of the first andsecond evaporators second evaporators second evaporators - The
flow adjusting part 130 includes a four-way valve, which includes an inflow part through which the refrigerant is introduced, and three outflow parts through which the refrigerant is discharged. - The first to third
refrigerant passages flow adjusting part 130, respectively. Thus, the refrigerant passing through theflow adjusting part 130 is divided and discharged to the first to thirdrefrigerant passages refrigerant passages - At least one of the first to third outflow parts may be opened. For example, when the first to third outflow parts are opened, the refrigerant flows through the first to third
refrigerant passages refrigerant passages - The first outflow part may be opened, and the second and third outflow parts may be closed, so that the refrigerant can flow through only the first
refrigerant passage 101. The second outflow part may be opened, and the first and third outflow parts may be closed, so that the refrigerant can flow through only the secondrefrigerant passage 103. - According to such a control of the
flow adjusting part 130, a flow path of the refrigerant is changed. Theflow adjusting part 130 may be controlled based on whether the refrigerant is insufficient or excessive in thefirst evaporator 150 or thesecond evaporator 160. - According to the present invention, when the first and
second evaporators first evaporator 150, theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled such that the refrigerant flows through the first to thirdrefrigerant passages - On the contrary, when the refrigerant is relatively insufficient in the
second evaporator 160, the thirdrefrigerant passage 105 are closed, and theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled such that the refrigerant flows through the first and secondrefrigerant passages - That is, a plurality of flow paths for the refrigerant to be introduced into the
first evaporator 150 are provided as the first and thirdrefrigerant passages refrigerant passages first evaporator 150 or thesecond evaporator 160. - Since the inlet side of the
first evaporator 150 is superior to the inlet side of thesecond evaporator 160 in terms of number of refrigerant paths, when the first to thirdrefrigerant passages first evaporator 150 than to thesecond evaporator 160. - That is, a heat exchange ability of the
first evaporator 150 is greater than that of thesecond evaporator 160. Thus, when thefirst evaporator 150 is an evaporator for the refrigerator compartment, and thesecond evaporator 160 is an evaporator for the freezer compartment, a cooling load or capacity of the refrigerator compartment may be greater than that of the freezer compartment. - The
refrigerator 10 includesblower fans blower fans fan 125 disposed at a side of thecondenser 120, afirst evaporation fan 155 disposed at a side of thefirst evaporator 150, and asecond evaporation fan 165 disposed at a side of thesecond evaporator 160. - The heat exchange abilities of the first and
second evaporators second evaporation fans first evaporator 150 is needed, the rotation speed of thefirst evaporation fan 155 may increase. In addition, when the cold air generated according to the operation of thefirst evaporator 150 is sufficient, the rotation speed of thefirst evaporation fan 155 may decrease. -
Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment ofFig. 1 .Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the refrigerator according to the embodiment ofFig. 1 . - Referring to
Fig. 2 , therefrigerator 10 includes a plurality oftemperature sensors refrigerator 10 or an outer temperature of therefrigerator 10, that is, a temperature of an indoor space in which therefrigerator 10 is installed. - The
temperature sensors compartment temperature sensor 210 for sensing an inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment, a freezercompartment temperature sensor 220 for sensing an inner temperature of the freezer compartment, and anouter temperature sensor 230 for sensing the outer temperature of therefrigerator 10. Thesensors - Further, the
refrigerator 10 includes acontrol part 200 that controls an operation of theflow adjusting part 130, based on temperature values sensed at thetemperature sensors control part 200 may control operations of the first andsecond compressors fan 125, and the first andsecond evaporation fans - Further, the
refrigerator 10 includes atimer 240 that integrates elapse time values for operating theflow adjusting part 130 during the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. For example, thetimer 240 may integrate elapse times when the first to thirdrefrigerant passages refrigerant passages - Further, the
refrigerator 10 includes amemory part 250 that stores time values of simultaneous operations of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, and the time values are mapped onto information about an outer temperature condition of therefrigerator 10, that is, information about the outer temperature of therefrigerator 10, and information about a temperature condition of the storage of therefrigerator 10, that is, information about the inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment. - In particular, an outer temperature value may be sensed by the
outer temperature sensor 230, and a state condition or state information of a storage may be determined based on a temperature value sensed at the refrigeratorcompartment temperature sensor 210 or the freezercompartment temperature sensor 220, or based on information about whether thecompressor 110 is activated. Thecompressor 110 includes thefirst compressor 111 and thesecond compressor 115. - For example, the state condition of a storage may include a "cooling activation" state, a "freezer compartment load reaction" state, a "refrigerator compartment load reaction" state, and a "simultaneous storage cooling (simultaneous cooling of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment)" state.
- The "cooling activation" state is understood as a state in which re-driving of the
compressor 110 starts after thecompressor 110 is turned off. That is, the "cooling activation" state may range from a state, in which thecompressor 110 is turned off and a high pressure and a lower pressure of the refrigerant are out of a set range, to a state in which the refrigerant has a pressure within the set range after thecompressor 110 is activated before operation S12 ofFig. 3 . For example, the cooling activation state may be maintained for about 2 to 3 minutes after an operation of thecompressor 110 starts. - The "freezer compartment load reaction" state is understood as a state in which a temperature of the freezer compartment unexpectedly increases, for example, a state in which a door of the freezer compartment is opened for a long time and the temperature of the freezer compartment unexpectedly increases to a temperature equal to or higher than a set temperature. The "refrigerator compartment load reaction" state is understood as a state in which a temperature of the refrigerator compartment unexpectedly increases, for example, a state in which a door of the refrigerator compartment is opened for a long time and the temperature of the refrigerator compartment unexpectedly increases to a temperature equal to or higher than a set temperature.
- The "simultaneous storage cooling (simultaneous cooling of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment)" state may be understood as a state in which simultaneous cooling of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is needed, for example, a state in which the inner temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment fail to reach target temperatures.
- According to the current embodiment, the
memory part 250 may store mapped information as shown in table 1.Table 1 OUTER TEMPERATURE CONDITION OUTER TEMPERATURE ≤ 16°C 16°C < OUTER TEMPERATURE ≤ 28°C OUTER TEMPERATURE > 28°C STORAGE STATE CONDITION COOLING ACTIVATION CASE 1 CASE 2 100 seconds 120 seconds 110 seconds 150 seconds 90 seconds 90 seconds FREEZER COMPARTMENT LOAD REACTION 90 seconds 120 seconds 120 seconds 150 seconds 150 seconds 180 seconds REFRIGERATOR COMPARTMENT LOAD REACTION 120 seconds 90 seconds 150 seconds 120 seconds 180 seconds 150 seconds SIMULTANEOUS STORAGE COOLING 60 seconds 100 seconds 90 seconds 150 seconds 120 seconds 180 seconds - Referring to table 1, "case 1" is a first control state of the
flow adjusting part 130 in which theflow adjusting part 130 is adjusted to open the first to thirdrefrigerant passages second evaporator 160 and is understood as "a first adjustment state" of theflow adjusting part 130. The unequal introduction of the refrigerant to thesecond evaporator 160 means concentration of the refrigerant to thesecond evaporator 160. - Case 2" is a second control state of the
flow adjusting part 130 in which theflow adjusting part 130 is adjusted to open the first and secondrefrigerant passages refrigerant passage 105. That is, "case 2" is a control state for addressing an unequal introduction of the refrigerant to thefirst evaporator 150 and is understood as "a second adjustment state" of theflow adjusting part 130. The unequal introduction of the refrigerant to thefirst evaporator 150 means concentration of the refrigerant to thesecond evaporator 150. - For example, when a storage state condition is the "cooling activation" state, and the outer temperature of the
refrigerator 10 is equal to or lower than 16°C, theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 90 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 90 seconds according to case 2. - When the storage state condition is the "cooling activation" state, and the outer temperature of the
refrigerator 10 is higher than 16°C and equal to or lower than 28°C, theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 100 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 120 seconds according to case 2. - For another example, when the storage state condition is the "freezer compartment load reaction" state, and the outer temperature of the
refrigerator 10 is equal to or lower than 16°C, theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 90 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 120 seconds according to case 2. - When the storage state condition is the "freezer compartment load reaction" state, and the outer temperature of the
refrigerator 10 is higher than 16°C and equal to or lower than 28°C, theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 120 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 150 seconds according to case 2. - For another example, when the storage state condition is the "refrigerator compartment load reaction" state, and the outer temperature of the
refrigerator 10 is equal to or lower than 16°C, theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 120 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 90 seconds according to case 2. - When the storage state condition is the "refrigerator compartment load reaction" state, and the outer temperature of the
refrigerator 10 is higher than 16°C and equal to or lower than 28°C, theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 150 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 120 seconds according to case 2. - For another example, when the storage state condition is the "simultaneous storage cooling" state, and the outer temperature of the
refrigerator 10 is equal to or lower than 16°C, theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 60 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 100 seconds according to case 2. - When the storage state condition is the "simultaneous storage cooling" state, and the outer temperature of the
refrigerator 10 is higher than 16°C and equal to or lower than 28°C, theflow adjusting part 130 is controlled for 90 seconds according to case 1 and is then controlled for 150 seconds according to case 2. - A control time of the
flow adjusting part 130 according to case 1 is referred to as "a first set time", and a control time of theflow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 is referred to as "a second set time". - Information about time values as shown in table 1, based on which controls are performed according to a series of cases 1 and 2 under outer temperature conditions and storage state conditions, is obtained through a repeated experiment.
- The
refrigerator 10 includes a targettemperature setting part 260 to which the target temperatures of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment are input. For example, the targettemperature setting part 260 may be disposed on a front surface of the door of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, in a location where a user can conveniently manipulate the target temperature setting part 290. Information input through the targettemperature setting part 260 may be used as control reference information for thecompressor 110, theblower fans flow adjusting part 130. - Referring to
Fig. 3 , a method of controlling therefrigerator 10 according to the current embodiment will now be described. - The first and
second compressors refrigerator 10. As thecompressor 110 is activated, the refrigerating cycle may be driven according to compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of the refrigerant. The refrigerant evaporated at thesecond evaporator 160 may be compressed at thesecond compressor 115, join the refrigerant evaporated at thefirst evaporator 150, and be introduced into the first compressor 111 (S11). - The simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment in an initial stage according to the driving of the refrigerating cycle. When a predetermined time is elapsed, pressure values according to a refrigerant circulation may reach set ranges. That is, high pressures of the refrigerant discharged from the first and
second compressors second evaporators - When the high and low pressures of the refrigerant are formed in the set ranges, the refrigerating cycle is stabilized and is continually driven. At this point, a target temperature of the storage of the
refrigerator 10 may be preset (S12). - During the driving of the refrigerating cycle, the
temperature sensors refrigerator 10. An outer temperature condition and a storage state condition as shown in table 1 may be determined considering the sensed temperature conditions and whether thecompressor 110 is activated (S13). - When an outer temperature condition and a storage state condition are determined, the simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment according to the mapped information as shown in table 1.
- That is, a time control operation is performed according to case 1 to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced to the
second evaporator 160, and then, a time control operation is performed according to case 2 to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced to the first evaporator 150 (S14). - When the simultaneous cooling operation is performed once according to cases 1 and 2, whether the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is maintained is recognized. In particular, the refrigerator
compartment temperature sensor 210 and the freezercompartment temperature sensor 220 may sense whether the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature. - When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature, cooling of the storage as the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment is unnecessary, and thus, the simultaneous cooling operation is also unnecessary.
- Thus, the storage as the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, the temperature of which does not reach the target temperature, is solely cooled, that is, the evaporator corresponding to the storage is solely operated. When the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment reach the target temperatures, the operation of the
compressor 110 may be turned off. - When the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment do not reach the target temperatures, operation S14 is performed again to simultaneously operate the first and
second evaporators - When a time is elapsed from operation S16 in which the evaporator is solely operated or the operation of the
compressor 110 is turned off, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment may increase. - When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment exceeds a target temperature range, cooling of a storage as the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, or cooling activation of the
compressor 110 from the off state may be needed. At this point, it may be sensed whether the outer temperature condition or the storage state condition as shown in table 1 is changed or not. - That is, when the outer temperature is changed to be out of a control reference range, for example, when the outer temperature is changed from 17°C to 15°C, whether the cooling activation of the
compressor 110 may be performed from the off state, whether a load reaction of a storage occurs, or whether the simultaneous cooling of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is needed (S17 and S18). - When the outer temperature condition or the storage state condition is not changed, that is, when the outer temperature condition or the storage state condition recognized in operation S13 is not changed, a simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the first and
second evaporators - On the contrary, when the outer temperature condition or the storage state condition is changed, that is, when the outer temperature condition or the storage state condition recognized in operation S13 is changed, the simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the first and
second evaporators - To sum up, since the
refrigerator 10 is a product that is driven at all times, while on and off operations of thecompressor 110 are repeated, and a temperature of the storage of therefrigerator 10 is changed after electric power is applied to therefrigerator 10, theflow adjusting part 130 may be repeatedly controlled according to cases 1 and 2 based on the mapped information of the outer temperature conditions and the storage state conditions as shown in table 1. - The method of controlling the
refrigerator 10 may be performed until therefrigerator 10 is turned off to end the simultaneous operation (time controls) of the first andsecond evaporators 150 and 160 (S21, S22, and S24). - As such, while the simultaneous operation of the first and
second evaporators flow adjusting part 130 for preventing the refrigerant from being unequally introduced to the first andsecond evaporators refrigerator 10 and operation efficiency of therefrigerator 10. - Hereinafter, descriptions will be made according to other embodiments. Here, different parts between the previous embodiment and the current embodiments will be described principally, and a description of the same parts thereof will be omitted, and like reference numerals denote like elements throughout.
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Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to another embodiment. - Referring to
Fig. 4 , arefrigerator 10a according to the current embodiment includes arefrigerant pipe arrangement 100 for guiding a flow of refrigerant condensed at acondenser 120, aflow adjusting part 130 installed on therefrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and dividing the refrigerant into flows to first andsecond evaporators refrigerant passages flow adjusting part 130 to the first andsecond evaporators - The
refrigerant passages refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and include first and thirdrefrigerant passages first evaporator 150, and second and fourthrefrigerant passages second evaporator 160. - The first and third
refrigerant passages first evaporator 150 and may be thus referred to as "first evaporation passages". The second and fourthrefrigerant passages second evaporator 160 and may be thus referred to as "second evaporation passages". - The refrigerant flowing through the first
refrigerant passage 101 and the refrigerant flowing through the third refrigerant passage105 may join each other and be then introduced into thefirst evaporator 150. The refrigerant flowing through the secondrefrigerant passage 103 and the refrigerant flowing through the fourth refrigerant passage107 may join each other and be then introduced into thesecond evaporator 160. - As described according to the previous embodiment, the refrigerant discharged from the
second evaporator 160 may be introduced into asecond compressor 115, and the refrigerant compressed at thesecond compressor 115 may join the refrigerant discharged from thefirst evaporator 150 and be introduced into afirst compressor 111. - A plurality of
expansion devices refrigerant passages expansion devices expansion devices first expansion device 141 disposed on the firstrefrigerant passage 101, asecond expansion device 143 disposed on the secondrefrigerant passage 103, athird expansion device 145 disposed on the thirdrefrigerant passage 105, and afourth expansion device 147 disposed on the fourthrefrigerant passage 107. - The
flow adjusting part 130 may include a five-way valve, which includes an inflow part through which the refrigerant is introduced, and four outflow parts through which the refrigerant is discharged. The first to fourthrefrigerant passages - At least one of the first
refrigerant passage 101 and the thirdrefrigerant passage 105, and at least one of the secondrefrigerant passage 103 and the fourthrefrigerant passage 107 may be opened according to a control of theflow adjusting part 130. Alternatively, any one of thefirst evaporation passages second evaporation passages - For example, the first to third
refrigerant passages refrigerant passage 107 may be closed. In this case, an amount of the refrigerant introduced into thefirst evaporator 150 may be greater than an amount of the refrigerant introduced into thesecond evaporator 160. - Alternatively, the first, second, and fourth
refrigerant passages refrigerant passage 105 may be closed. In this case, an amount of the refrigerant introduced into thesecond evaporator 160 may be greater than an amount of the refrigerant introduced into thefirst evaporator 150. - As such, a plurality of refrigerant passages and a plurality of expansion devices are disposed at an inlet side of the first and
second evaporators second evaporators - The description of the method as illustrated in
Fig. 3 is applied to a method of controlling a refrigerator according to the current embodiment. However, the current embodiment and the previous embodiment are different in control state of theflow adjusting part 130 according to cases 1 and 2. - In particular, when the
flow adjusting part 130 is controlled such that the first to thirdrefrigerant passages refrigerant passage 107 is closed, time controls according to case 1 as shown in table 1 may be used. - When the
flow adjusting part 130 is controlled such that the first, second, and fourthrefrigerant passages refrigerant passage 105 is closed, time controls according to case 2 as shown in table 1 may be used. -
Fig. 5 is a schematic view illustrating a configuration of a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerator according to an embodiment which is included for illustrative purposes.Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the refrigerator according to the embodiment ofFig. 5 . - Referring to
Figs. 5 and6 , arefrigerator 10b according to the current embodiment includes arefrigerant pipe arrangement 100 for guiding a flow of refrigerant condensed at acondenser 120, aflow adjusting part 130 installed on therefrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and dividing the refrigerant into flows to first andsecond evaporators refrigerant passages flow adjusting part 130 to the first andsecond evaporators - The
refrigerant passages refrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and include a firstrefrigerant passage 201 connected to thefirst evaporator 150, and a secondrefrigerant passage 203 connected to thesecond evaporator 160. - A plurality of
expansion devices refrigerant passages expansion devices expansion devices first expansion device 241 disposed on the firstrefrigerant passage 201, and asecond expansion device 243 disposed on the secondrefrigerant passage 203. - The
flow adjusting part 130 may include a three-way valve, which includes an inflow part through which the refrigerant is introduced, and two outflow parts through which the refrigerant is discharged. The first and secondrefrigerant passages flow adjusting part 130 is controlled such that the refrigerant is simultaneously introduced into the first and secondrefrigerant passages - The
refrigerator 10 includes flowrate adjusting parts rate adjusting parts refrigerant passages rate adjusting parts rate adjusting part 251 installed on the firstrefrigerant passage 201, and a second flowrate adjusting part 253 installed on the secondrefrigerant passage 203. - The first and second flow
rate adjusting parts rate adjusting parts - Referring to
Fig. 5 , the first and second flowrate adjusting parts second expansion devices rate adjusting parts second expansion devices - When the degree of the opening of the first or second flow
rate adjusting part rate adjusting part - For example, when the degree of the opening of the first flow
rate adjusting part 251 is greater than the degree of the opening of the second flowrate adjusting part 253, a larger amount of the refrigerant flows through the firstrefrigerant passage 201. On the contrary, when the degree of the opening of the second flowrate adjusting part 253 is greater than the degree of the opening of the first flowrate adjusting part 251, a larger amount of the refrigerant flows through the secondrefrigerant passage 203. - The first and second flow
rate adjusting parts first evaporator 150 or thesecond evaporator 160. As a result, while the first andsecond evaporators second evaporator - Another embodiment is proposed.
- Referring to
Fig. 5 , the first and second flowrate adjusting parts refrigerant passages refrigerant passage - A flow rate adjusting part is provided on any one of refrigerant passages to adjust a degree of opening thereof, thereby relatively adjusting an amount of refrigerant passing through the other. That is, when a degree of opening of the flow rate adjusting part increases, the amount of the refrigerant passing through the second refrigerant passage decreases. When the degree of the opening of the flow rate adjusting part decreases, the amount of the refrigerant passing through the second refrigerant passage increases.
- Another embodiment is proposed.
- The flow
rate adjusting parts refrigerant passages - The description of the method as illustrated in
Fig. 3 is applied to a method of controlling a refrigerator according to the current embodiment. However, the current embodiment and the previous embodiment are different in control state of the first and second flowrate adjusting parts - In particular, when the first and second flow
rate adjusting parts refrigerant passage 201 is greater than an amount of the refrigerant flowing through the secondrefrigerant passage 203, the time controls according to case 1 as shown in table 1 may be used. For example, the degree of the opening of the first flowrate adjusting part 251 may be controlled to be greater than the degree of the opening of the second flowrate adjusting part 253. - When the first and second flow
rate adjusting parts refrigerant passage 203 is greater than the amount of the refrigerant flowing through the firstrefrigerant passage 201, the time controls according to case 2 as shown in table 1 may be used. For example, the degree of the opening of the second flowrate adjusting part 253 may be controlled to be greater than the degree of the opening of the first flowrate adjusting part 251. -
Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment which is included for illustrative purposes.Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling the refrigerator according to the embodiment ofFig. 7 . Components of the refrigerator as illustrated inFig. 7 may be formed by adding components to cycle components of the refrigerator as illustrated inFig. 1 . - Referring to
Fig. 7 , arefrigerator 10c according to the current embodiment includes a plurality oftemperature sensors first evaporator 150 and asecond evaporator 160. - The
temperature sensors inlet temperature sensor 310 for sensing the inlet temperature of thefirst evaporator 150, and a firstoutlet temperature sensor 320 for sensing the outlet temperature of thefirst evaporator 150. - Further, the
temperature sensors inlet temperature sensor 330 for sensing the inlet temperature of thesecond evaporator 160, and a secondoutlet temperature sensor 340 for sensing the outlet temperature of thesecond evaporator 160. - Further, the
refrigerator 10c includes acontrol part 200 that controls an operation of aflow adjusting part 130, based on temperature values sensed at thetemperature sensors - The
control part 200 may control operations of acompressor 110, a condensingfan 125, and first andsecond evaporation fans compressor 110 includes afirst compressor 111 and asecond compressor 115. - Further, the
refrigerator 10c includes astorage temperature sensor 350 for sensing an inner temperature of a storage of therefrigerator 10c. Thestorage temperature sensor 350 includes a refrigerator compartment temperature sensor disposed in the refrigerator compartment to sense an inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment, and a freezer compartment temperature sensor disposed in the freezer compartment to sense a temperature of the freezer compartment. - The
refrigerator 10c includes a targettemperature setting part 380 to which a target temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment is input. - Information input through the target
temperature setting part 380 may be used as control reference information for thecompressor 110,blower fans flow adjusting part 130. That is, based on the information input through the targettemperature setting part 380, and information sensed at thestorage temperature sensor 350, thecontrol part 200 may determine whether to perform the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, a single operation of any one of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, or turning off of thecompressor 110. - For example, when inner temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are higher than the temperatures input through the target
temperature setting part 380, thecontrol part 200 may control thecompressor 110 and theflow adjusting part 130 to perform the simultaneous cooling operation. - When the inner temperature of the freezer compartment is higher than the temperature input through the target
temperature setting part 380, and the inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment is lower than the temperature input through the targettemperature setting part 380, thecontrol part 200 may control thecompressor 110 and theflow adjusting part 130 to perform a single operation on the freezer compartment. - When the inner temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are lower than the temperatures input through the target
temperature setting part 380, thecontrol part 200 may turn the operation of thecompressor 110 off. - Further, the
refrigerator 10c includes atimer 360 that integrates elapse time values for operating theflow adjusting part 130 during the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. For example, thetimer 360 may integrate elapse times when first to thirdrefrigerant passages refrigerant passages - Further, the
refrigerator 10c includes amemory part 370 that stores time values mapped onto adjustment states of theflow adjusting part 130 during the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. - In particular, according to the current embodiment, the
memory part 370 may store mapped information as shown in table 2.Table 2 EQUAL OR UNEQUAL INTRODUCTION OF REFRIGERANT CASE 1 CASE 2 START OF SIMULTANEOUS COOLING OPERATION (REFERENCE VALUE) 90 seconds 90 seconds UNEQUAL INTRODUCTION OF REFRIGERANT TO FIRST EVAPORATOR 90 seconds 120 seconds UNEQUAL INTRODUCTION OF REFRIGERANT TO SECOND EVAPORATOR 90 seconds 60 seconds - Referring to table 2, "case 1" is a first control state (adjustment state) of the
flow adjusting part 130 in which theflow adjusting part 130 is adjusted to open the first to thirdrefrigerant passages - Case 2" is a second control state (adjustment state) of the
flow adjusting part 130 in which theflow adjusting part 130 is adjusted to open the first and secondrefrigerant passages refrigerant passage 105. - For example, when a simultaneous cooling operation condition is satisfied, that is, when cooling of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is needed, the simultaneous cooling operation starts. At this point, the
control part 200 controls theflow adjusting part 130 to be maintained in the first control state for 90 seconds and be then maintained in the second control state for 90 seconds. The first and second control states of theflow adjusting part 130 may be alternately performed until the simultaneous cooling operation is unnecessary. - When a temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature while the first and second control states of the
flow adjusting part 130 are alternately performed, a supply of the refrigerant to at least one of the first andsecond evaporators compressor 110 may be turned off. - When the single operation of an evaporator or an off state of the
compressor 110 is maintained for a predetermined time, the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment may be needed. In this case, thecontrol part 200 recognizes whether the refrigerant is unequally supplied to an evaporator, based on the temperature values of thetemperature sensors - When the
control part 200 recognizes that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into thefirst evaporator 150, thecontrol part 200 uses variations of time values according to cases 1 and 2. That is, when the refrigerant is unequally introduced into thefirst evaporator 150, a time of supplying the refrigerant to thesecond evaporator 160 should be relatively increased. Thus, a control time in case 2 may be increased (120 seconds). - On the contrary, when the refrigerant is unequally introduced into the
second evaporator 160, thecontrol part 200 may decrease the control time in case 2 (60 seconds) to relatively increase a time of supplying the refrigerant to thefirst evaporator 150. - That is, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into an evaporator, a control time in case 2 is adjusted to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into the evaporator. It may be recognized that a cooling load of a storage on which the
second evaporator 160 is disposed is smaller than a cooling load of a storage on which thefirst evaporator 150 is disposed. - As a result, a control time in case 1 for increasing an amount of the refrigerant supplied to the storage having the large cooling load is fixed, and a control time in case 2 for increasing an amount of the refrigerant supplied to the storage having the small cooling load is changed. Accordingly, cooling efficiency of the storage having the large cooling load is stably maintained.
- A control time of the
flow adjusting part 130 according to case 1 is referred to as "a first set time", and a control time of theflow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 is referred to as "a second set time". - Information about time values of sequentially performing cases 1 and 2 in the simultaneous cooling operation, and information about variations of the time values of sequentially performing cases 1 and 2 when the refrigerant is unequally introduced into an evaporator, as shown in table 2, are obtained through a repeated experiment.
- Referring to
Fig. 8 , a method of controlling therefrigerator 10c according to the current embodiment will now be described. - The first and
second compressors refrigerator 10c. As thecompressor 110 is activated, a refrigerating cycle may be driven according to compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation of the refrigerant. The refrigerant evaporated at thesecond evaporator 160 may be compressed at thesecond compressor 115, join the refrigerant evaporated at thefirst evaporator 150, and be introduced into the first compressor 111 (S31). - The simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment in an initial stage according to the driving of the refrigerating cycle. When a predetermined time is elapsed, a pressure value according to a refrigerant circulation may reach a set range. That is, high pressures of the refrigerant discharged from the first and
second compressors second evaporators - When the high and low pressures of the refrigerant are formed in the set ranges, the refrigerating cycle is stabilized and is continually driven. At this point, a target temperature of the storage of the
refrigerator 10c may be preset (S32). - While the refrigerating cycle is driven, it is recognized whether the simultaneous cooling operation condition for the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is satisfied. For example, when it is recognized based on a value sensed at the
storage temperature sensor 350 that the inner temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are equal to or higher than the target temperature, the simultaneous cooling operation may be performed on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment (S33). - When the simultaneous cooling operation is performed, the first and
second evaporators flow adjusting part 130 is controlled to simultaneously supply the refrigerant to the first andsecond evaporators - At this point, the
flow adjusting part 130 may be adjusted such that the first control state according to case 1 is maintained for 90 seconds, and then, the second control state according to case 2 is maintained for 90 seconds, as illustrated in table 2 That is, a time control operation is performed according to case 1 to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into thesecond evaporator 160, and then, a time control operation is performed according to case 2 to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into the first evaporator 150 (S34). - When the simultaneous cooling operation is performed once according to cases 1 and 2, whether the simultaneous cooling operation on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment is maintained is recognized. In particular, the
storage temperature sensor 350 may sense whether the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature. - When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature, the cooling of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment is unnecessary, and thus, the simultaneous cooling operation is also unnecessary.
- Thus, a storage as the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, the temperature of which does not reach the target temperature, is solely cooled, that is, an evaporator corresponding to the storage is solely operated. When the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment as storages reach the target temperatures, the operation of the
compressor 110 may be turned off. - When the temperatures of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment do not reach the target temperatures, operation S33 is performed again to simultaneously operate the first and
second evaporators - As such, while the simultaneous operation of the first and
second evaporators flow adjusting part 130 for preventing the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into the first andsecond evaporators refrigerator 10c and operation efficiency of therefrigerator 10c (S35 and S36). - When a time is elapsed from operation S36 in which the evaporator is solely operated or the operation of the
compressor 110 is turned off, the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment may increase. - When the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment exceeds a target temperature range, cooling of a storage as the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment, or the activation of the
compressor 110 from the off state may be needed. The simultaneous cooling operation may be performed again on the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment (S37). - While the simultaneous cooling operation is performed again, whether control times of the
flow adjusting part 130 according to cases 1 and 2 are changed may be determined. - In particular, the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of the
first evaporator 150 may be sensed by the firstinlet temperature sensor 210 and the firstoutlet temperature sensor 220. In addition, the inlet temperature and the outlet temperature of thesecond evaporator 160 may be sensed by the secondinlet temperature sensor 230 and the second outlet temperature sensor 240 (S38). - The
control part 200 may determine a difference value between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 and a difference value between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160. - When the amount of the refrigerant introduced into the
first evaporator 150 or thesecond evaporator 160 is equal to or greater than an appropriate refrigerant amount, a difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first orsecond evaporator first evaporator 150 or thesecond evaporator 160 is smaller than the appropriate refrigerant amount, the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first orsecond evaporator - The
control part 200 may recognize whether information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first andsecond evaporators - That is, whether the refrigerant flowing through the first or
second evaporator second evaporator control part 200 based on the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first andsecond evaporators 150 and160. - In particular, whether the refrigerant flowing through the first or
second evaporator first evaporator 150, a difference value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160, and a ratio value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator 160 (S39). - The determination will now be described in detail.
- For example, whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced may be determined according to whether the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 is equal to, greater than, or smaller than a preset reference value. - The
flow adjusting part 130 divides the refrigerant circulating through the refrigerating cycle into flows to thefirst evaporator 150 and thesecond evaporator 160. Thus, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is sensed, a ratio of the refrigerant passing through thefirst evaporator 150 may be recognized. A ratio of the refrigerant passing through thesecond evaporator 160 may be recognized based on the ratio of the refrigerant passing through thefirst evaporator 150. - For example, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 is greater than the preset reference value, it may be determined that the amount of the refrigerant introduced to thefirst evaporator 150 is insufficient, and it may be recognized that the amount of the refrigerant introduced to thesecond evaporator 160 is relatively great. - A method of determining whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced, by using the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 is described according to the current embodiment. Alternatively, whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced may be determined using the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160. - When the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 is equal to the preset reference value (a reference temperature), it may be recognized that the refrigerant is not unequally introduced to the first orsecond evaporator - In this case, operation S34 may be performed again to control the
flow adjusting part 130, based on a time value set when the simultaneous cooling operation starts. That is, an adjustment state according to each of cases 1 and 2 may be maintained for 90 seconds. Then, operations S35 to S38 may be performed again. - When the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 is not equal to the preset reference value and is greater or small than the preset reference value, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced to the first orsecond evaporator - In particular, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 is smaller than the preset reference value, it is recognized that a relatively large amount of the refrigerant passes through thefirst evaporator 150. That is, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into thefirst evaporator 150. - This case corresponds to a condition "unequal introduction of refrigerant to first evaporator" of table 2, and a control state of the
flow adjusting part 130 according to case 1 is maintained for 90 seconds, and a control state of theflow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 is maintained for 120 seconds. That is, an adjustment time of theflow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 under the condition "unequal introduction of refrigerant to first evaporator" is increased relative to an adjustment time of theflow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 under a condition "start of simultaneous cooling operation", thereby relatively decreasing the amount of the refrigerant introduced into the first evaporator 150 (S40 and S41). - When the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 is greater than the preset reference value, it is recognized that a relatively small amount of the refrigerant passes through thefirst evaporator 150. That is, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into thesecond evaporator 160. - This case corresponds to a condition "unequal introduction of refrigerant to second evaporator" of table 2, and the control state of the
flow adjusting part 130 according to case 1 is maintained for 90 seconds, and the control state of theflow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 is maintained for 120 seconds. That is, an adjustment time of theflow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 under the condition "unequal introduction of refrigerant to second evaporator" is decreased relative to the adjustment time of theflow adjusting part 130 according to case 2 under the condition "start of simultaneous cooling operation", thereby relatively increasing the amount of the refrigerant introduced into the first evaporator 150 (S43 and S44). - When the control times of the
flow adjusting part 130 are changed according to the above described method, operation S34 may be performed again based on values of the changed control times until therefrigerator 10c is turned off (S42) . - As such, the control times of the
flow adjusting part 130 are changed based on the information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first andsecond evaporators second evaporator - For another example of the determination in operation S39, whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced may be determined according to whether a ratio of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 to the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160 is equal to, greater than, or smaller than a first set value. For example, the first set value may be 1. - When the ratio of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 to the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160 is 1, that is, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is the same as the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160, it is recognized that the refrigerant is equally introduced into the first andsecond evaporators - When the ratio of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 to the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160 is greater than 1, that is, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is greater than the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into thesecond evaporator 160. - When the ratio of the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 to the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160 is smaller than 1, that is, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is smaller than the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into thefirst evaporator 150. - For another example of the determination in operation S39, whether the refrigerant is unequally introduced may be determined according to whether the difference value between the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
first evaporator 150 and the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160 is equal to, greater than, or smaller than a second set value. For example, the second set value may be 0. - When a value obtained by subtracting the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
second evaporator 160 from the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is 0, that is, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is the same as the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160, it is recognized that the refrigerant is equally introduced into the first andsecond evaporators - When the value obtained by subtracting the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
second evaporator 160 from the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is greater than 0, that is, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is greater than the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into thesecond evaporator 160. - When the value obtained by subtracting the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the
second evaporator 160 from the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is smaller than 0, that is, when the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thefirst evaporator 150 is smaller than the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of thesecond evaporator 160, it is recognized that the refrigerant is unequally introduced into thefirst evaporator 150. -
Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment which is included for illustrative purposes. Components of the refrigerator as illustrated inFig. 9 may be formed by adding components to cycle components of the refrigerator as illustrated inFig. 5 . - Referring to
Fig. 9 , arefrigerator 10d according to the current embodiment includes arefrigerant pipe arrangement 100 for guiding a flow of refrigerant condensed at acondenser 120, aflow adjusting part 130 installed on therefrigerant pipe arrangement 100 and dividing the refrigerant into flows to first andsecond evaporators refrigerant passages flow adjusting part 130 to the first andsecond evaporators Fig. 5 is applied to these elements included in therefrigerator 10d. - Further, the
refrigerator 10d includes: a plurality oftemperature sensors second evaporators storage temperature sensor 350; atimer 360; amemory part 370; and a targettemperature setting part 380. The description with reference toFig. 7 is applied to these elements included in therefrigerator 10d. - The description of the method as illustrated in
Fig. 8 is applied to a method of controlling a refrigerator according to the current embodiment. However, the current embodiment and the previous embodiment are different in control state of the first and second flowrate adjusting parts - In particular, when the first and second flow
rate adjusting parts refrigerant passage 201 is greater than an amount of the refrigerant flowing through the secondrefrigerant passage 203, the time controls according to case 1 as shown in table 2 may be used. For example, the degree of the opening of the first flowrate adjusting part 251 may be controlled to be greater than the degree of the opening of the second flowrate adjusting part 253. - When the first and second flow
rate adjusting parts refrigerant passage 203 is greater than the amount of the refrigerant flowing through the firstrefrigerant passage 201, the time controls according to case 2 as shown in table 2 may be used. For example, the degree of the opening of the second flowrate adjusting part 253 may be controlled to be greater than the degree of the opening of the first flowrate adjusting part 251.. - As such, since the
flow adjusting part 130 and the degrees of the opening of the first and second flowrate adjusting parts refrigerant passages second evaporator - According to the embodiments, a plurality of evaporators can be simultaneously operated, and thus, a plurality of storages can be effectively cooled.
- In particular, a plurality of refrigerant passages are provided at an inlet side of at least one of the evaporators, and the refrigerant passages are provided with expansion devices, respectively, to control flows of refrigerant.
- In addition, while a refrigerator is operated, amounts of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporators may be adjusted based on time values predetermined according to inner and outer temperature conditions of the refrigerator, thus effectively distributing the refrigerant to the evaporators.
- As a result, a first control process in which an amount of the refrigerant supplied to one of the evaporators is increased, and a second control process in which amounts of the refrigerant supplied to the other evaporators are increased, are performed according to set time periods, thus preventing the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into one of the evaporators.
- A method of controlling an operation of a flow adjusting part according to a time period without using a separate control part prevents unequal introduction of the refrigerant, thus saving costs.
- In addition, while the refrigerator is operated, amounts of the refrigerant supplied to the evaporators may be adjusted based on a predetermined time value and differences between inlet and outlet temperatures of the evaporators, thus effectively distributing the refrigerant to the evaporators.
- As a result, the first control process in which an amount of the refrigerant supplied to one of the evaporators is increased, and the second control process in which amounts of the refrigerant supplied to the other evaporators are increased, are basically performed according to time periods set during a simultaneous cooling operation.
- In addition, since a control time value of the first and second control processes may be changed based on inlet and outlet temperature information of first and second evaporators, an accurate control can be performed to prevent the refrigerant from being unequally introduced into a specific one of the evaporators.
- In addition, flow rate adjusting parts are provided on the refrigerant passages to adjust degrees of opening thereof, thereby accurately controlling flow rates of the refrigerant.
- In addition, when a plurality of compressors, that is, a high pressure compressor and a low pressure compressor are provided in the refrigerator, an inlet side refrigerant flow resistance of a high pressure evaporator may be smaller than that of a low pressure evaporator, thus preventing an unequal introduction of the refrigerant to the low pressure evaporator caused by a pressure difference of the refrigerant.
- Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Claims (12)
- A method of controlling a refrigerator comprising a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a first evaporator (150) is disposed at a side of the refrigerator compartment, and a second evaporator (160) disposed at a side of the freezer compartment, a compressor having a second compressor (115) disposed at a low pressure side and a first compressor (111) for further compressing refrigerant compressed at the second compressor (115), wherein an outlet side refrigerant pipe of a second evaporator (160) extends to an inlet of the second compressor (115) such that the refrigerant passed through the second evaporator (160) is introduced into the second compressor (115), wherein an outlet side refrigerant pipe of a first evaporator (150) is connected to an outlet side of refrigerant pipe of the second compressor (115) such that the refrigerant passed through the first evaporator (150) joins the refrigerant compressed at the second compressor (115) and is introduced into the first compressor (111), wherein the refrigerant compressed at the first compressor (111) is introduced into a condenser (120), wherein the refrigerator further comprises: a first refrigerant passage (101) configured to guide introduction of the refrigerant into the first evaporator (150), the first refrigerant passage (101) having a first expansion device (141) installed; a third refrigerant passage (105) configured to guide introduction of the refrigerant into the first evaporator (150), the third refrigerant passage (105) having a third expansion device (145) installed; a second refrigerant passage (103) configured to guide introduction of the refrigerant into the second evaporator (160), the second refrigerant passage (103) having a second expansion device (143) installed; a storage temperature sensor (210, 220) adapted to sense an inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment; an outer temperature sensor (230) adapted to sense an outer temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, that is, a temperature of an indoor space in which the refrigerator is installed; a flow adjusting part (130) adapted to adjust amounts of the refrigerant flowing through the first, the second and the third refrigerant passages (101, 105, 103); a memory part (250) in which information about control times of the flow adjusting part (130) is mapped onto information sensed at the storage temperature sensor (210, 220) and the outer temperature sensor (230) and is stored; and a control part (200) adapted to control the flow adjusting part (130) to supply the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators (150, 160), based on the mapped information stored in the memory part (250), the method comprises the steps of:driving a refrigerating cycle including the first and the second evaporator (150, 160) by activating the first and second compressor (111, 115);simultaneously supplying cold air to the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment by supplying refrigerant to the first and second evaporators (150, 160) according to the driving of the refrigerating cycle; when the first and second evaporators (150) and (160) are simultaneously operated, preventing the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator (150) by operating the flow adjusting part (130) and thereby opening the first, second and third refrigerant passages (101, 103, 105) for a first set time, to allow a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator (150) to increase;preventing the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator (160) by operating the flow adjusting part (130) and thereby opening the first and second refrigerant passages (101, 103) and closing the third refrigerant passage (105) for a second time to allow a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the second evaporator (160) to increase.
- The method according to claim 1, wherein the preventing of the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the first evaporator (150), and the preventing of the refrigerant from being insufficiently introduced into the second evaporator (160) are repeated until a temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches a target temperature.
- The method according to claim 2, wherein when the temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment reaches the target temperature, the refrigerant is prevented from being supplied to at least one of the first and second evaporators (150, 160), or an operation of the compressor (111, 115) is stopped.
- The method according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the first set time and the second set time are mapped onto values that are different according to both an outer temperature condition of the refrigerator and state information of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.
- The method according to claim 4, wherein the state information of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment comprises:at least one of information about a cooling activation state in which the activation of the compressor (111, 115) starts;information about a load reaction state in which a temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment increases to be equal to or higher than a set temperature; andinformation about a state in which the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment are simultaneously cooled.
- The method according to claim 5, wherein the first or second set time is changed according to a change of the outer temperature condition of the refrigerator or the state information of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, and
the flow rate of the refrigerant is adjusted according to the changed first or second set time. - The method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, further comprising determining whether one of the first and second set times is changed, based on information about a difference between an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the first evaporator (150) or a difference between an inlet temperature and an outlet temperature of the second evaporator (160).
- The method according to claim 7, wherein the determining of whether one of the first and second set times is changed comprises recognizing whether the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator (150, 160), and whether the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator (150, 160) is determined according to whether at least one of the information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator (150), and the information about the difference between the inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator (160) is included within a set range.
- The method according to claim 7, wherein the determining of whether one of the first and second set times is changed comprises fixing the first set time and increasing or decreasing the second set time when the refrigerant is insufficiently introduced into the first or second evaporator (150), 160).
- The method according to claim 7, further comprising changing the flow rates of the refrigerant supplied to the first and second evaporators (150, 160), according to a change of the first or second set time, when it is determined whether one of the first and second set times is changed.
- A refrigerator having a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment comprising:a compressor (111, 115) adapted to compress refrigerant to drive a refrigerating cycle for supplying cold air to the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment; the compressor comprises a second compressor (115) disposed at a low pressure side and a first compressor (111) for further compressing refrigerant compressed at the second compressor (115),a condenser (120) adapted to condense the refrigerant compressed at the first compressor (111);a refrigerant pipe arrangement (100) adapted to guide a flow of the refrigerant condensed at the condenser (120);a plurality of refrigerant passages (101, 105, 103; 101, 105, 103, 107) that diverge from the refrigerant pipe arrangement (100) and are provided with expansion devices (141, 145, 143; 141, 145, 143, 147), the plurality of refrigerant passages comprises:a first refrigerant passage (101) configured to guide introduction of the refrigerant into the first evaporator (150); the first refrigerant passage (101) having a first expansion device (141) installed;a third refrigerant passage (105) configured to guide introduction of the refrigerant into the first evaporator (150); the third refrigerant passage (105) having a third expansion device (145) installed;a second refrigerant passage (103) configured to guide introduction of the refrigerant into the second evaporator (160), the second refrigerant passage (103) having a second expansion device (143) installed;a first evaporator (150) disposed at a side of the refrigerator compartment and a second evaporator (160) disposed at a side of the freezer compartment for evaporating the refrigerant passed through the plurality of refrigerant passages (101, 105, 103; 101, 105, 103, 107), wherein an outlet side refrigerant pipe of the second evaporator (160) extends to an inlet of the second compressor (115) such that the refrigerant passed through the second evaporator (160) is introduced into the second compressor (115) and an outlet side refrigerant pipe of the first evaporator (150) is connected to an outlet side of refrigerant pipe of the second compressor (115) such that the refrigerant passed through the first evaporator (150) joins the refrigerant compressed at the second compressor (115) and is introduced into the first compressor (111),a storage temperature sensor (210, 220) adapted to sense an inner temperature of the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment;an outer temperature sensor (230) adapted to sense an outer temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment, that is, a temperature of an indoor space in which the refrigerator is installed;a flow adjusting part (130) adapted to adjust amounts of the refrigerant flowing through the plurality of refrigerant passages (101, 105, 103; 101, 105, 103, 107);a memory part (250) in which information about control times of the flow adjusting part (130) is mapped onto information sensed at the storage temperature sensor (210, 220) and the outer temperature sensor (230) and is stored; anda control part (200) adapted to control the flow adjusting part (130) to supply the refrigerant to the first and second evaporators (150, 160), based on the mapped information stored in the memory part (250),wherein when the first and second evaporators (150) and (160) are simultaneously operated, the control part (200) is adapted to operate the flow adjusting part (130) and thereby to open the first, second and third refrigerant passages (101, 103, 105) for a first set time, to allow a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the first evaporator (150) to increase; andwherein the control part (200) is adapted to operate the flow adjusting part (130) and thereby to open the first and second refrigerant passages (101, 103) and to close the third refrigerant passage (105) for a second time to allow a flow rate of the refrigerant supplied to the second evaporator (160) to increase.
- The refrigerator according to claim 11, further comprising a temperature sensor (310, 320, 330, 340) that senses inlet and outlet temperatures of the first evaporator (150) or inlet and outlet temperatures of the second evaporator (160),
wherein the control part (200) determines whether to change a first or second set time, based on information sensed at the temperature sensor (310, 320, 330, 340).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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KR1020130133029A KR102144467B1 (en) | 2013-11-04 | 2013-11-04 | A refrigerator and a control method the same |
KR1020130133028A KR102153056B1 (en) | 2013-11-04 | 2013-11-04 | A refrigerator and a control method the same |
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EP2869009A2 EP2869009A2 (en) | 2015-05-06 |
EP2869009A3 EP2869009A3 (en) | 2015-07-15 |
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EP (1) | EP2869009B1 (en) |
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KR101688166B1 (en) * | 2015-06-12 | 2016-12-20 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
KR102480701B1 (en) * | 2015-07-28 | 2022-12-23 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator |
US10544979B2 (en) | 2016-12-19 | 2020-01-28 | Whirlpool Corporation | Appliance and method of controlling the appliance |
CN106595139A (en) * | 2016-12-27 | 2017-04-26 | 珠海市银岭冷冻设备有限公司 | Refrigerating system |
JP6753804B2 (en) * | 2017-03-14 | 2020-09-09 | 株式会社東芝 | Logistics support equipment, logistics support methods, and programs |
KR102409514B1 (en) * | 2017-11-01 | 2022-06-16 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator and method for controlling the same |
KR102674401B1 (en) * | 2019-02-28 | 2024-06-13 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Control method for refrigerator |
CN113091362A (en) * | 2019-12-23 | 2021-07-09 | 广东美的白色家电技术创新中心有限公司 | A kind of refrigerator |
US11644229B2 (en) * | 2020-01-28 | 2023-05-09 | Whirlpool Corporation | Cooling assembly for refrigerator appliance |
US11859885B2 (en) | 2021-07-23 | 2024-01-02 | Refrigerated Solutions Group Llc | Refrigerant circuit with reduced environmental impact |
CN115325751B (en) * | 2022-08-10 | 2023-09-01 | 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 | Control method for precisely controlling temperature in multiple temperature areas, refrigerating system and refrigerator |
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JP3462156B2 (en) * | 1999-11-30 | 2003-11-05 | 株式会社東芝 | refrigerator |
JP4028688B2 (en) * | 2001-03-21 | 2007-12-26 | 株式会社東芝 | refrigerator |
KR100756725B1 (en) | 2003-11-28 | 2007-09-07 | 가부시끼가이샤 도시바 | Refrigerator |
KR100739195B1 (en) * | 2005-12-29 | 2007-07-13 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigeration cycle of refrigerator having 2 evaporator capable of precisely controlling temperature |
JP5097361B2 (en) * | 2006-05-15 | 2012-12-12 | ホシザキ電機株式会社 | Cooling storage and operation method thereof |
KR101314622B1 (en) | 2007-11-05 | 2013-10-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Controlling method for the refrigerator |
KR101314621B1 (en) * | 2007-11-05 | 2013-10-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Controlling method for the refrigerator |
KR20100034080A (en) | 2008-09-23 | 2010-04-01 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Refrigerator and method for controlling the same |
JP5631012B2 (en) * | 2010-01-27 | 2014-11-26 | 三菱重工業株式会社 | Air conditioner and control method of air conditioner |
KR101815579B1 (en) * | 2010-07-28 | 2018-01-05 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Refrigerator and method for driving thereof |
US9599353B2 (en) * | 2013-07-26 | 2017-03-21 | Whirlpool Corporation | Split air conditioning system with a single outdoor unit |
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2014
- 2014-11-03 US US14/531,431 patent/US9982927B2/en active Active
- 2014-11-03 EP EP14191503.3A patent/EP2869009B1/en active Active
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EP2869009A2 (en) | 2015-05-06 |
CN107024055A (en) | 2017-08-08 |
CN107024055B (en) | 2020-01-03 |
CN104613698A (en) | 2015-05-13 |
EP2869009A3 (en) | 2015-07-15 |
US9982927B2 (en) | 2018-05-29 |
US20150121919A1 (en) | 2015-05-07 |
CN104613698B (en) | 2017-04-12 |
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